A Tale of Two Systems: Analyzing the Treatment of Noncitizen Families in State Family Law Systems and Under the Immigration Law System
18 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2008 Last revised: 28 Feb 2012
Date Written: August 7, 2008
Abstract
In A Tale of Two Systems: Analyzing the Treatment of Noncitizen Families in State Family Law Systems and Under the Immigration Law System, I analyzed the experiences of noncitizen families under the U.S. immigration law system and the state family law court systems. I contend that federal immigration law currently does not follow through its family unity policy and that seemingly neutral decisionmaking regarding noncitizens in state family law cases often results in unfavorable outcomes based on language ability or immigration status. I conclude that every instance of a violation of a fundamental right of a noncitizen family should be cause for concern and a call to action for citizens and noncitizens alike.
Keywords: Immigration Law, noncitizen families, U.S. immigration law systems, immigrants, state family law
JEL Classification: K19, K30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation