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Immigration Law & Policy in the U.S.

A comprehensive database of historical and current documents on immigration law and policy.

Searching within the Database

Full-Text Searching

The main search bar is stationary throughout HeinOnline. After entering Immigration Law & Policy in the U.S., the search bar will search only within this database unless the Search All Databases box is checked.

Search for articles about a topic using the main search bar. For example, enter the phrase "children of immigrants" AND deportation and select the "Just search for" option.

In the results, terms matching the search query appear in bold text within the matching text page snippets. Refine the results using the facets on the left side of the page. Available facets include date, document type, and title. Sort search results by relevance, volume date, and more. Find cited-by information and access tools, such as an instant PDF download, on the right side of each search result.  Use the icons next to the sort-by bar to modify your current search, to search within results, to toggle all matching text pages, or to turn OFF infinite scroll.

image of a results page within the Immigration Law and Policy database

Advanced Search

The Advanced Search link located beneath the main search bar functions much like the Advanced Search option in other databases, allowing users to search particular fields within the metadata for more precise results. Enter text, title, date, or description keywords into the text boxes provided. Refine the search to a specific document type, including acts and/or legislative histories, BIA precedent decisions, extradition, hearings, CRS reports, GAO reports, and more. 

Venn Diagram Search

Users can now visualize the results yield of various keywords to better refine their searches. To use the Venn Diagram feature in Immigration Law & Policy in the U.S., select the Advanced Search hyperlink to find the Venn Diagram Search within.

Users will be redirected to a search bar, instructions for its use, and example searches. Enter a search for multiple terms separated with the Boolean operators "AND." A Venn Diagram will appear, illustrating the various combinations of those terms and their respective results yield throughout the database. The original search combining all terms will appear by default, visually represented by the red intersection of all circles. 

Here is a sample Venn Diagram Search for the terms "children of immigrants" AND deportation AND refugee.