Elizabeth Hull examines the way American law and public policy affect America's non-citizens--permanent resident aliens, temporary vistors, undocumented aliens, and refugees fleeing persecution. The character and treatment of these noncitizens and their impact on the demography, culture, and quality of life in the United States are examined in detail. Also discussed are broader philosophical implications such as the roles and meanings of citizenship and national sovereignty, the role of the Supreme Court, the criteria for admission employed by policymakers, and the framework within which United States citizens weigh conflicting values.