The session will break down employment-based immigration, including both temporary visas and permanent green card options, and discuss how these programs shape the workforce and economy. It will also cover family-based immigration, highlighting who can sponsor whom, the difference between immediate relatives and preference categories, and the long wait times that often arise. Finally, the presentation will explore humanitarian pathways such as asylum, refugee admissions, Temporary Protected Status, and other protections for vulnerable populations. Throughout the talk, attendees will gain a practical understanding of how these systems work, who they impact, and why immigration remains both essential and complex in today’s landscape.