Immigration laws have encompassed a wide variety of purposes by reuniting families, invigorating the country with new skills, and rescuing victims of war. This book brings a human dimension to the enactment of these laws through a review of over 600 precedent private bill cases and their impact on public policy. It charts the legislative process of these cases, including the defeat of such controversial bills as Martina Navratilova's quest for expedited citizenship and the FBI's 1980 ABSCAM sting. Contents: What is a Private Bill?; Rules Governing Private Bills; The Process; Public Legislation and Private Bills; Controversy; Bibliography; Index.