Term
|
Definition
| Citizenship conferred at birth on children born abroad to a US citizen parents. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process of obtaining LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS in the US without having to leave the US to do so. DIFFERENT FROM "CHANGE OF STATUS"
The adjustment of status option is unavailbale to many person who entered the US without INSPECTION, or who violated status while in the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process of allowing someone to physically and legally be permitted to be in the US. Admission is part of the inspection process. Once a person is admitted, a number of legal rights and protections attach. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Affidavit by a US citizen or LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT who resides in the US and who will provide financial support to an alien who is seeking to enter the US or adjust status. I-864 & I-134 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The basic file created for many aliens, containing the alien's Alien Registration Number |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any one of a number of crimes specifically defined in INA section 101(a)(43) that may make a person deportable. Aggravated felon status creates numerous substantive and procedural disabilities with respect to Asylum, inadmissibility, removal, judicial review, etc. An aggravated felon is ineleigible for most forms of immigration relief from removal, and following completion of his or her criminal sentence, will likely be placed in an expeditous process for removal |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any oerson not a citizen or NATIONAL OF THE US. This includes immigrants and nonimmigrants |
|
|
Term
| Aliens Previously Removed |
|
Definition
| A ground of inadmissibility for persons previously removed, lastling for anywhere from 5 to 20 years, depending on prior circumstances |
|
|
Term
| Application for admission |
|
Definition
| Refers to the aplication for admission into the US and not to the application for the issuance of an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa |
|
|
Term
| Application Support Center |
|
Definition
| An office that fingerprints applicants for certain immigration benefits, such as NATURALIZATION OR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS. The ASC may also collect other data, such as a signature and digital photo, particularly in conjunction with electronically filed applications |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A discretionary benefit accorded to certain persons inside the US who are able to demonstrate that they are unable or unwilling to return to their country on account of persecution or a well founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. One year after the receipt of asylum status, the asylee may apply for lawful permanent residence
NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST 1 CENTRAL REASON FOR THEIR PERSECUTION |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A reference that may in fact mean Secretary of Homeland Security due to the Homeland security act of 2002 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An office established by the Department of Labor to process and eliminate the backlog of Labor Certification applications.
PHILADEPHIA AND DETROIT |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aliens on whose behalf a US citizen, L |
|
|
Term
BTS
BORDER AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY |
|
Definition
| One of the five major divisions, or directorates of DHS, this direcotrate assumes the enforcement functions of the former INS, including border patrol and Investigations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An identity card issued to an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or to alien who is a resident in Mexico or Canada, by a consular officer or an immigration officer for the purpose of crossing the border from Canada to Mexico. LASER CARD BC ITS LAMINATED. Valid for 10 years. The card is both a BCC and B1/B2 visitor's visa |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| INA section 291 provides that a person who applies for a visa or any other document required for entry, or applies for admission, or otherwise attempts to enter the US has the burden of proof to establish that he or she is eligible to receive such visa or such document |
|
|
Term
BCIS
BUREAU OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
BCBP
BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
BICE
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A discretionary remedy for LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT who has been a permanent resident for at least 5 years andhas resided continusouly in the US for at least seven years after having been admitted in any status and has not been convicted of an aggravated felony OR anyone PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE US FOR 10 YEARS who can establish that removal would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to the applicant's US citizen spuse, child or parent |
|
|
Term
| Certificate of Citizenship |
|
Definition
| An identity document proving US citizenship. Certificates of citizenship are issued to derivative citizens and to persons who acquired US citizenship. |
|
|
Term
CLN
CERTIFICATE OF LOSS OF NATIONALITY |
|
Definition
| A formal document prepared by a US consular officer pursuant to INA section 358 and approved by the Department of State for the purpose of recording and certifying a person's loss of US citizenship |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
an unmarried person under 21 who is legitimate child; a stepchild; a child legitimated under the law of the child's residence or domicile or under the law of the father's residence or domicile; an illigitimate child; a child adpoted while under the age of 16 or a child who is an orphan
OR
an unmarried person under 21 who was legitimated or adopted before 16 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A medically trained, licensed, and experienced doctor practicing in the US who is certified by USCIS. These medical profesionals receive US immigration-focused training in order to provide examinations as required by the CDC and USCIS |
|
|
Term
| CONDITIONAL (PERMANENT) RESIDENT |
|
Definition
| A status conferred on an alien SPOUSE OR CHILD at the time of obtaining LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT status such having been obtained 1. on the basis of marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident spouse entered into less than 2 years prior to obtaining such status or 2. as an immigrant investor in which case it applies to the investor and the members of his or her family |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A person employed abroad by the Department of State for the purpose of performing certain limited consular functions in an area where there is a need for consular assistance but there is no US consular post. EX. agents in Valencia, Spain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process of applying for IMMIGRANT VISA at a US consular post outside the US for prospective IMMIGRANTS who are not in the US or who are ineligible to ADJUST STATUS IN THE US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A formal document issued at a US consular post certifying the acquisition of US citizenship at birth of a person born abroad. Under US law it is full proof of US citizenship |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A formal judgment of guilt entered by a court or a disposition in which despite the withholding of any adjudication of guilt a judge or jury has found an alien guilty and the judge has ordered some form of punishment |
|
|
Term
CMT
CRIME OF MORAL TURPITUDE |
|
Definition
| A particularly deparved offense that rises to the level of serving as a ground for inadmissibility or removal. Criminal act done contrary to justice, honesty, principle or good morals; an act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a man owes his fellow man |
|
|
Term
CBP
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION |
|
Definition
| The bureau of DHS focusing on movement of people and goods across borders and ports of entry. Composed of the former INS Inspection and Border Transporation Security and Immigartion and customs enforcement and transportation security administration |
|
|
Term
(DHS)
Department of Homeland Security |
|
Definition
| The agency into which INS was folded. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An alien in admitted to the US subject to any grounds of removal specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes any alien illegally in the US regardless of whether the alien entered the country by fraud or misrepresentation or entered legally but subsequently violated the terms of his or her nonimmigrant classification or status |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Citizenship conveyed to children through the naturalization of parents or under certain circumstances, to foreign born children adopted by US citizen parents provided certain conditions are met |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| established by the immigration act of 1990. makes available up to 55,000 immigrant visas per federal fiscal year to persons from low admission states and low admission regions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The simultaneous possession of two citizenships. It results form the fact that there is no uniform rule of international law relating to acquisition of nationality. can occur by birth in one country to citizens of another country. not favored in the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Civil and criminal penalties imposed on employers and individuals who subsequent to november 6, 1986 hire or refer for a fee aliens who are not authorized to work in the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A procedure established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requiring employers to verify identity and eligibility to work by completion of Form I-9 for all individuals hired or referred for a fee after Nov. 6 |
|
|
Term
EAD
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT |
|
Definition
| A USCIS document, FORM 1-688B, evidencing the right of certain aliens to accept employment while in the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An alien coming temporarily to the US as a participant in a program approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of teaching instructions or lecturing, studying, oberserving, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills |
|
|
Term
EOIR
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW |
|
Definition
| A branch of the Department of justice that includes the board of immigration appeals, office of the chief immigration judge and the office of the chief administrative hearing offices |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The loss of US citizenship by the vouluntary performance of an acted in INA section 349 (a)(1)-(7) with the intention of relinquishing US citizenship |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A procedure, established by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibilty Act, that authorizes USCIS to quickly remove certain inadmissible ALIENS from the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A nonimmigrant alien coming to the US to conclude a valid marriage with a US citizen within 90 days after entry |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An alien who has graudated from a medical school or has qulified to practice medicine in a foreign state, excluding those aliens who are of national or international renown in medicine |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Includes outlying possessions of foreign state, but self governing dominions or territories under mandate or trusteeship are regarded as separate foreign states |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Actions by a practitioner that he or she knows or reaosnably should know lack an arguable basis in law or fact or are taken for an improper purpose such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An expression that refers to the document carried by a lawful permanent resident which provides proof of his or her status
I-551 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Certain petitioners filing H-1B petitions pursuant to INA, who have significant number or percentage as specified in the statute of H-1B beneficiary employees, and are accordingly subject to additional requirements |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Certain immigrants who because of their close relationship to US citizens are exempt from the numerical limitations imposed on immigration to the US. spouses of citizens, children under 21 and parents of citizens 21 years of age or older |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A LAWFUL permanent resident of the US, generally presumed to be immigrants until they establish that they are entitled to nonimmigrant status |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A document required by the INA and properly issued by a consular office at his office outside of the US to an eligible immigrant. It is valid for 6 months and the intending immigrant must apply for admission during this period |
|
|
Term
(ICE)
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT |
|
Definition
| The bureau of DHS that focuses on enforcement within the interior of the nation. Composed of functions of the Customs Service, Federal Protection Service and the investigative and enforcement functions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Sometimes referred to in the INA and CFR as Special Inquiry Officer, the person responsible for presiding over removal hearings |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any one of the numerous grounds listed in INA that make a person ineligible for lawful admission into the US |
|
|
Term
| Ineligible to Citizenship |
|
Definition
| A person who is or was at any time permanently debarred from becoming a citizen of the US, notwithstanding the provisions of any treaty relating to military service |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The internet based system that allows the public to make an appointment online with US CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICE in their local area |
|
|
Term
| INSPASS (INS PASSGENGER ACCELRATED SERVICE SYSTEM) |
|
Definition
| An automated system utilizing liosks at ports of entry desgined to reduce immigration inspection processing time for authorized travelers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The process that all persons must go through when they arrive at the border. A person is questioned and asked to present proof of his or her right to enter the country. At the end of the process of inspection a person is either admitted, removed, or paroled into the country |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An alien employed for at least one continous year of the last three by an international firm or corporation who seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order to continue to work for the same employer or subsidiary or affiliate ina capacity that is primarily manegerial, executive, or invloves specialized knowledge and the alien's spouse and minor unmarried children |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a nonimmigrant status avaibale under specified conditions to nationals of countires with which the US has appropriate treaties of friendship, commerce, and navigation or bilateral investment treaties. An immigrant status available onan employment-creation basis for persons who invest at least $1 million and create at least 10 jobs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Certification by the department of labor that there exists an insufficient number of US workers who are able, willing, qulified and available at the place of proposed employment and that employment of the alien for whom certification is sought wll not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of US workers similarly employed |
|
|
Term
(LCA)
LABOR CONDITION APPLICAITON |
|
Definition
| DOL Form ETA-9035, approval of which must be submitted with an H-!B petition. This can also be filed electronically with form ETA-9035E. Attestation by an employer seeking to hire an H-1B nonimmigrant to four conditions of employment: 1. employer is paying an acceptable salary, 2. employment willnot adversely affect the working conditions of similarly employed workers. 3. that there is not a strike, lock out, or work stoppage in the occupation, 4. that the hiring has been approved |
|
|
Term
(LPR)
LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT |
|
Definition
| A person accorded the benfit of being able to reside in the US ona permanent basis. Such person may engage inemployment but may not vote in US elections. LPR status is gained by a person who is admitted to the US with an immigrant visa or has had his or her status adjusted to permanent residence after having first been admitted as anonimmigrant. Lawful permanent residence also may be obtained after a person has been granted ASYLUM or was admitted to the US REFUGEE. also a person who has been in the US for more than 10 years and is able to establish the requisite degree of hardship may be granted permanent residency |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a reference to the immigration and naturalization service that acknowledges its status as the predecessor to the department of homeland security |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| EST. IN 1986, permitted the grant of temporary residence status to certain aliens who were later entitled to apply for permanent residence |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A person owing permanent allegiance to a state |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A US citizen or a person sho though not a US citizzen owes permanent allegiance to the US at this time its only residents of American Samoa and Swains Island |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The conferring of nationality of a state upon a person after birth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A person who can establish that her or she has a residence abroad that he or she has no intention of abondoning who is coming to the US for a temporary period and who fits into specfically defined categories |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A document signifying that a consular officer believes that the alien to whom the visa was issued is eligible to apply for ADMISSION in a particular nonimmigrant category.
maybe vaild for a few as 30 days to 10 years
FROM I-94, the authorized oeriod of stay, which is indicated on a small white I-94, arrival departure record stapled into the passport. it is always the I-94 that determines a nonimmigrant alien's status |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A document issued by DHS to commence removal proceedings. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A job classification system that has replaced the Dictionary of Occupational Titles |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A medically trained, liscensed and experienced doctor practicing oversees who is appointed by the local US embassy or consulate. The profesisonal received US immigration focused training to provide examinations required by the CDC |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Permission granted by DHS allowing a person to physically enter the US yet still be considered to have not legally entered the country. it is a legal fiction-treated as if he was still at the border's edge seeking permission to enter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any travel document issued by a competent authority showing the bearers origin, identity, and nationality in any, which is valid for admission of the bearer into a foreign country |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A relationship of continuing or lasting nature as distinguised from temporary but a relationship may be permanent even thoguh it is one that may be dissolved eventually at the instance either of the US of the individual |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A new system, uses automated computer systems to scan attestation forms filed by employers regarding their compliance with all regulatory requirements |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Presence ina particual country for at least some part of a day, for naturalization as a US citizen or claims of derivative citizenship |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Of those immigeant VISAS that are subject to numerical limitations, the classification into which the intending IMMIGRANT fall, based on the relationship of the intending sponsor or nature of anticipated employment |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Complete immigration insepction of airport passengers before departuure form a foreign county. No further immigration insepction id requires upon arrival in the US other than submission of Form I-94 for nonimmigrant aliens |
|
|
Term
| PRESENCE WITHOUT ADMISSION OR PAROLE |
|
Definition
| One who is phyically present in the US not having previously been admitted or paroled or who arrives in the US at a time and place other than designated by the government. This person is inadmissible to the US unless he or seh qulifies for immigrant status as a battered person |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The alien who applies for immigrant status and from whom another alien may derive laful statuse under immigration law or regualtion (usually spouses and minor children) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The date on which a person submitted documentation establishing prima facie elegibility for an immigrant visa |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A travel document issued to a permanent resident proceeding abroad temporirly. A person must be physically present in the US to file the application but may depart during the adjudication period |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a person outside of the US who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country becuase of persecution or well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. A refugee after one year may apply for permanent resident status |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A proceeding to enforce departure of inadmissible person seeking admission but are removable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A formal repudiation of US citizenship. It can only be accomplished outside the US by taking a prescribed oath before a diplomatic or consular officer of the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Cancellation of prior Adjustment of stauts of lawful permanent resident status |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The place of genral abode, meaning a person;s principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| THe conditions imposed upon persons born abroad to one US citizen parent and one noncitizen parent between 1954 and 1952. The law under which these persons acquired citizenship required that they come to the US bw ages 14 and 28 and to stay for 2 continuous years. falirure to comply resulted in cessation of US citizenship |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any lawful permanent resident who has been outside the US and is returning tot he US. If outside the US for more that 180 days person must apply for readmission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Any felony crime of violence as defined in 18 USC section 16 or any crime of reckless driving or of driving while intoxicated... |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| five offices established to handle the filing, data entry, and adjudication of certain applications for immigrant services and benefits. The applications are mailed to USCIS service centers; service centers are not staffed to recieve walk-in applications or questions |
|
|
Term
| SEVIS (STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR INFORMATION SYSTEM) |
|
Definition
| An internet based software application to track and monitor onoimmigrant students and exchange visitors and their dependents |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A spouse, but not including someone who was married by proxy, unless the marriage shall have been consumated |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The condition of having no country to which one owes allegiance. It can occur when a US citizen who does not have a claim to another nationality renounces US citizenship. It can cause difficulty for the individual in many areas, not the least of which is the unavailability of a travel document |
|
|
Term
| SUSPENSION OF DEPORTATION |
|
Definition
| A remedy in deportation proceedings for certain persons who have been in the US for either seven years or 10 years and who met other criteria set forth in former INA. IT IS NOW CALLED CANCELLATION OF REMOVAL |
|
|
Term
TPS
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS |
|
Definition
| A status allowing residence and employment authorization to nationals of foreign states for a period of not less than 6 months or no more than 18 months, when such states have been appropriately designated by the government becuase of extraordinary and temporary political or physical conditions in such states. |
|
|
Term
| TRANSMISSION REQUIREMENTS |
|
Definition
| The amount of time required by law that a US citizen must spend in the IS in order to be able to transmit US citizenship to a child born abroad of one citizen and one alien parent. In every case, the transmission time must accur prior to the birth of the child |
|
|
Term
USCIS
US CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES |
|
Definition
| The division of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for the benefits side of the former INS. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Presence in the US after the expiration of the authorized period of stay, or presence in the US without having been admitted or paroled. Period of stay is usually noted on Form I-94 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A program designed by the Department of homeland secuirty to collect and share information on foreign nationals traveling to the US. This system allows the US government to record the entry and exist of non US citizens and verify the identity of travelers coming in and out of the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An official endorsement, obtained from a US consul (abroad), certifying that the bearer has been examined and is permitted to proceed for purposes of seeking ADMISSION to the US at a designated port of entry. there are both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A program under which nationals of countries with which the US has certain agreemnts can enter the US for up to 90 days as visitors for business or pleasure without first obtaining a visa from a US embassy or consulate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A procedure granting permission for a removable alien to leave the US voluntarily. THere is a limit of 120 days for pre hearing voluntary departure or 60 days for post hearing voluntary departure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Certain grounds of inadmissibility as well as the two year home country Physical presence requirement for an exchange visitor can be waived under vertain circumstances. These waivers remove an impediment to obtaining a visa or status. Also USCIS can grant a waiver of Labor Certification and job offer to professionals with advanced degrees and aliens of exceptional ability if in the national interest |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A remedy available to persons able to establish that their lives or freedom would be threatened if deported to their home country on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinions. Withholding of removal does not confer on a persons right to stay in the US as they may be removed to any country willing to accept them |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| There is no single document in the US immigration law that is a work permit. Certain nonimmigrant vias categories include, as an incident of their status, employment authorization in the United States either with or without limitation to a particular employer or after application approval from the USCIS ofr authorization to be employed. |
|
|
