Historically, the United States is a country of immigrants. Established by immigrants and developed by immigrants the USA has enjoyed both substantial benefits as well as serious setbacks associated with immigration into the country. This dichotomy eventually led to the need to determine who should be allowed to enter and stay in the USA. Congress enacted a number of laws to regulate the immigration process.
Lawful admission to the United States is rather important and, one would argue, fundamental concept of the U.S. immigration law because it rests on the historical foundation — the exclusive right of a sovereign country to control its borders. That right inevitably includes deciding who is allowed to enter into the country.
