Immigration is one of the most pressing contemporary issues in the United States. The foreign-born now represent about 13 percent of the population. Together with their American-born children, this group constitutes a quarter of the United States — more than 65 million people. In New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago, the number of immigrants peaks at approximately forty percent. Suburbs too are seeing surges in new immigrant families. With little prior history of immigrant issues, cities like Atlanta, Sacramento, Charlotte, and Dallas are emerging as destination centers for newcomers.

Professionals from across the country, in many different fields, are faced with immigrant employment and family issues on a regular basis. Increasingly paralegals, social workers, lawyers, community advocates, and government officials are turning to The City University of New York School of Professional Studies to learn about the complex and ever-changing field of immigration law and regulation.