Immigration Terminology, Glossary and Acronyms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
"A" Number
The term used on the Alien Registration number. An "A"
number is issued to all aliens applying for permanent residence.
Academic Training
This type of training is for students on a J-1 visa. The
training is similar to students on an F-1 visa doing the
Optional Professional Training (OPT). However, academic training
is only for J-1 visa holders.
Acquired Citizenship
Citizenship bestowed at birth on children who are born overseas
to U.S. citizen parent(s).
Accompanying
A type of visa in which family members travel with the principal
applicant, (in immigrant visa cases, within six months of
issuance of an immigrant visa to the principal applicant).
Act
Act means the “Immigration and Nationality Act” (or INA), as
amended.
ACWIA
American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998.
Adjudication
The term describing the USCIS process of reviewing and
processing applications and petitions.
Admission
Admission in immigration terms is related to the lawful entry
into the United States after inspection and authorization by an
immigration officer. Note that admission does excludes a person
who is paroled or permitted to land temporarily.
Adjustment of Immigrant Status
A process that permits a number of foreigners who are already in
the United States to apply for immigrant status. Foreigners who
enter the United States as nonimmigrants, refugees, or parolees
might have their status altered to that of legal permanent
resident if they are qualified to obtain an immigrant visa and
one is available right away. If the status is changed
successfully, the alien is considered an immigrant as of the
date of the adjustment regardless if the alien may have been in
the United States for a long period of time.
Admission Number
The particular number is found on your I-94 card, which will
change every time you enter the Unites States. Remember to give
this card back once your leave the U.S. so there is a record of
your U.S. entry and departure.
Adoption
See Orphan.
Advance parole
The term used for legal permission to leave the United States
and re-enter during the adjustment of the individuals status
procedures.
Affidavit of Support
The affidavit of support is a sworn document provided by an
individual who will provide financial support to an alien that
seek to adjust existing status or enter the United States. In
some cases, the Affidavit of Support is required and needs to be
included as a part of the petition process. There are two
Affidavits of Support: Form I-864 and Form I-134. The law and
regulations must be consulted to learn the appropriate use and
requirements for each.
Aggravated Felon
The description of an individual who has been convicted of any
of numerous crimes set forth in INA Section 101(a)(43), 8 USC
Section 1101. Aggravated felon status creates numerous
substantive and procedural disabilities with respect to asylum,
admissibility, removal, judicial review, etc., as set forth in
INA Sections 298, 212, 237 - 242, 8 USC Sections 1158, 1182.
Agricultural Worker
An agricultural worker is a foreign worker who is coming to the
United States to carry out agricultural work or services, as
defined by the Secretary of Labor, for a temporary period of
time as a nonimmigrant.
AILA
Abbreviation for American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Alien
Any person who is not a citizen or national of the United States
of America; foreigner.
Aliens Previously Removed
A term used to describe the inadmissibility for individuals
previously removed from anywhere between 5 to 20 years,
depending upon the circumstances of each case. INA Section
212(a)(9)(A), 8 USC Section 1182.
Amerasian Act
Public Law 97-359 (Act of 10/22/82) that permits certain
Amerasian children to immigrate to the United States. An alien
must have been born in Cambodia, Korea, Laos, Thailand, or
Vietnam after December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982,
and have been fathered by a U.S. citizen for him/her to meet the
requirements for benefits under this law.
Amerasian (Vietnam)
Immigrant visas are granted to Amerasians under Public Law
100-202 (Act of 12/22/87). This law grants aliens who are born
in Vietnam after January 1, 1962, and before January 1, 1976
admission to the United States provided he/she was fathered by a
U.S. citizen. The alien may be accompanied by spouses, children,
and parents or guardians.
Applicant
The individual applying for visa, change of status or
citizenship.
Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
The procedures for applying for immigrant status through a U.S.
consulate.
Application Support Centers
USCIS applications for Naturalization or to Register Permanent
Residence or Adjust Status necessitate the USCIS to carry out a
FBI fingerprint background check on the applicant. Most
applicants that require a background check have to be present
for one at a specific Application Support Center (ASC) or
Designated Law Enforcement Agency (DLEA) for fingerprinting
purposes.
Apprehension
Apprehension refers to arresting a removable foreigner by U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Arrival-Departure Card
Also known as Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. The U.S.
Customs and Border Protection official at the port-of-entry
gives foreign visitors (all non-U.S. citizens) an
Arrival-Departure Record, (a small white card) when they enter
the United States. Recorded on this card is the immigrant
classification and the authorized period of stay in the U.S.
This is either recorded as a date or the entry of D/S, meaning
duration of status. It is important to keep this card safe
because it shows the length of time you are permitted and
authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to stay in the
U.S. It is best kept stapled with your passport, kept in a safe
place. The visitors return the I-94 card when they leave the
country. The I-94W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure
Record (green card) is for travelers on the Visa Waiver Program.
ASC
Abbreviation for INS/USCIS Application Support Center
Asylee
A foreigner in the United States or at a port of entry who is
established to be incapable or reluctant to go back to his or
her country of nationality, or to ask for the protection from
that country because of persecution or a well-substantiated fear
of persecution. The reasons for fear of persecution have to be
the foreigner’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a
unique social group, or political views. The country of
nationality is considered to be the country in which the
foreigner most recently lived for those without any nationality.
Asylees are entitled to adjust to the legal permanent resident
category after one year of continuous presence in the United
States. This category is limited to 10,000 adjustments per
fiscal year.
BCIS
BCIS stands for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services, also called USCIS (United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services).
Beneficiaries
Foreigners who obtain lawful immigration statuses as a result of
their relationship to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents,
or U.S. employers.
BIA
Abbreviation for Board of Immigrant Appeals.
Biometrics
Biologically unique information used to identify
individuals. This information can be used to verify identity or
check against other entries in the database. The best known
biometric is the fingerprint, but others include facial
recognition and iris scans.
Bona Fide
Genuine or authentic.
Border Crosser
Border crosser is a foreign resident who reenters the United
States after being not present for less than six months in
Canada or Mexico. It also refers to a nonresident alien who
reenters the United States via the Canadian border for stays
that are less than six months or across the Mexican border for
stays that are less than 72 hours.
Business Nonimmigrant
A foreigner who enters the United States on a temporary basis to
take part in commercial deals that do not involve lucrative work
in the United States such as someone who is involved in
international commerce on behalf of a foreign company.
Cancellation of Removal
It’s a legal procedure undertaken in front of an immigration
judge in order to adjust the status of a foreigner from
deportable to a legal permanent resident.
Cancelled without
Prejudice
A stamp an embassy or consulate puts on a visa when there is a
mistake in the visa or the visa is a duplicate visa (two of the
same kind). It does not affect the validity of other visas in
the passport. It does not mean that the passport holder will not
get another visa.
Case Number
The National Visa Center (NVC) gives each immigrant
petition a case number. This number has three letters followed
by ten digits (numbers). The three letters are an abbreviation
for the overseas embassy or consulate that will process the
immigrant visa case (for example, GUZ for Guangzhou, CDJ for
Ciudad Juarez).
The digits tell us exactly when NVC created the case. For
example a case with the number MNL2001747003 would be a case
assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. 2001 is the year in
which NVC received the case from the USCIS. The Julian date is
747 plus 500, so this case was created on September 4, 2001, the
247th day of the
year. The 003 shows that it was the third case created for
Manila on that day.
This case number is not the same as the USCIS
receipt number, which is written on the Notice of Action, Form
I-797, from the USCIS. A consular section abroad cannot find a
case if all you have is the USCIS receipt number.
Certificate of Citizenship
It is a legal document that is issued to derivative citizens and
foreigners who obtained U.S. citizenship in order to prove
identity and U.S. citizenship.
Certificate of Naturalization
An official document which is issued by the Department of
Homeland Security. The certificate is the proof that an
individual has become a U.S. citizen (naturalized) after
immigration to the United States.
Change of Status
The application process of changing status from one immigration
status to another immigration status.
Charge / Chargeable
There are numerical limits on the number of immigrant visas that
can be granted to aliens form any one foreign country. This
limit is the same for all countries. The limit is based on place
of birth, not citizenship. Where the immigrant is "charged",
means that person is counted towards a given country's numerical
limit. For example, an immigrant born in Ethiopia is "charged"
to Ethiopia, and therefore counted towards reaching the
numerical limit for that country. The person would be "charged"
to Ethiopia, even if the immigrant born in Ethiopia was born of
Yemeni parents and has a passport from Yemen.
Although immigrants are normally "charged" to their country
of birth, and immigrant is sometimes able to claim another for
the sake of immigration. You would do this if it helps the
immigrant in reaching the "cut-off date" date faster. For
example, suppose you were born in India, but your spouse was
born in Sudan. The "cut-off date" for a person born in India is
earlier in family fourth preference immigration category than
the "cut-off date" for a person born in Sudan. We can "charge"
you to Sudan, rather than India, and you can use the more
favorable cut-off date for Sudan. Therefore, you would be able
to immigrate years earlier with a chargeability to Sudan than a
chargeability to India.
Child
The term generally refers to unmarried persons who are under age
21. There are many types of children:
- Born within a marriage
- Stepchildren, but only if the child was under 18 years of age when the marriage that created the stepchild relationship took place
- A legitimated child if the child was legitimated while in the legal custody of the legitimating parent
- An adopted child under age 16 who has lived in the lawful custody of the adopting parents for a minimum of 2 years since adoption
- An orphan under age 16 years who has been adopted overseas by a U.S. citizen or who is coming to the United States for adoption by a U.S. citizen
CIS
The abbreviation for "Citizenship and Immigration Services".
See BCIS or USCIS.
Citizenship
Normally citizenship describes the country that a person is
born in. However, a person can change citizenship in a process
called naturalization.
Civil Surgeons
Doctors trained and certified by the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Service. These are the doctors you should go to if
USCIS asks you for immigration examinations.
Cohabit
To live together without a legal marriage ceremony.
Conditional Resident
Conditional residents are those foreigners who have conditional
permanent resident status such as the spouse of an American
citizen. They are usually required to formally request the
elimination of the set conditions before the second anniversary
of the approval of his or her conditional status.
Consul
A diplomat appointed by the United States government to protect
its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign
country . The consul is also responsible for issuing visas to
non-U.S. citizens who wish to travel to the United States.
Consular Processing
This is the application process an alien goes through to apply
for permanent residency at a U.S. Consulate in his or her home
country. The applicant must have an approved I-140 in addition
to an immigrant number.
Consulate
Official United States government office located in foreign
country. Consulates deal with foreign trade and visa issues.
Consulates are normally located in major cities.
Continuity of Residence
When an alien is seeking U.S. residency, an absence of more than
one year will automatically lead to a break of the continuity of
the alien’s residence. The consequences of breaking the
continuity is that the alien must begin the process all over
again. While an applicant can get permission to leave the U.S.
during the residency period, it is generally not recommended to
do so.
Conviction
The process of a formal judgment of guilt entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
Country of
- Birth: The country a person is born
- Citizenship: It’s either the country where a person is born who have not given up or lost his/ her citizenship or the country of a person who is naturalized.
- Former Allegiance: It’s the former country of a person who became a citizen of the United States through naturalization or derivative citizenship.
- (Last) Residence: The last country where a foreigner lived before coming into the United States.
- Nationality: The country of a person’s citizenship
CPT
CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training. CPT is a
description for off-campus work permission granted to foreigners
going to school or university in the U.S. where the work is a
part of an internship.
Crewman
An alien who serves in a capacity obligatory for typical
operations and service on board of a vessel or airplane.
CSC
Abbreviation for California Service Center
Cuban/Haitian Entrant: Cubans who came into the United
States unlawfully or were paroled into the United States between
April 15, 1980, and October 10, 1980, and Haitians who came into
the United States unlawfully and were paroled into the country
before January 1, 1981. Cubans and Haitians who have lived in
the United States since before January 1, 1982, and who were
recognized by U.S. immigration authorities before that date may
change to permanent residents.
Cut-off Date
The date that determines whether a preference immigrant visa
applicant can be scheduled for an immigrant visa interview in
any given month. The cut-off date is the priority date of the
first applicant who could not get a visa interview for a given
month. Applicants with a priority date before or earlier than
the cut-off date can be scheduled. However, if your priority
date is later (comes after) the cut-off date, you will need to
wait longer, until your priority date is reached (becomes
current).
Deferred Inspection
See Parolee.
Department of State
The Department of State is an Executive Branch Department with
jurisdiction over non-domestic issues. It is the government
agency responsible for managing the United States foreign
affairs.
Departure under Safeguards
The physical observation of an unlawful foreigner departing the
United Sates by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
officer.
Dependent
An official term used on the spouse and children of the
principal applicant.
Deportable Alien
A deportable alien is anybody who entered the United States
illegally or legally, but breached the terms of his/ her
classification or status later on.
Deportation
Deportation is the legal act of removing an alien from the
United States after he/she has been found removable for
infringing the immigration laws. Deportation is ordered by an
immigration judge without any kind of punishment.
Derivative Citizenship
U.S. citizenship passed on to children through the
naturalization of parents or to foreign-born children adopted by
U.S. citizen parents.
DHS
Abbreviation for Department of Homeland Security
District
Geographic regions into which the United States and its
territories are divided for Immigration and Naturalization
Services’ purposes.
Diversity
A category of immigrants from underrepresented countries and
countries unfavorably affected by the Immigration and
Nationality Act Amendments of 1965. The main goal of diversity
visas is to increase immigrants from such countries.
Diversity Country
The description of a country that has low rates of immigration
to the United States. The citizens of a diversity country can
enter in the diversity visa program.
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
The United States Government issues 50,000 Green Cards every
year through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly
known as the Green Card Lottery. Applicants are selected
randomly by a computer-generated drawing.
Docket Control
The USCIS means for following the case status of possible
removable foreigners.
Documentarily Qualified
The description of an alien that has provided all documents by
the consular officer as sufficient to meet the requirements of
INA 222(b), and that necessary clearance procedures of the
consular office have been completed. Note that the term
“Documentarily Qualified” shall only be used to describe an
alien's qualification to formally apply for an immigrant visa –
not whether the applicant receives the visa or not.
DOL
DOL is an acronym for the Department of Labor of the United
States.
Domicile
Place where a person has his or her principal residence. The
person must intend to keep that residence for the foreseeable
future. The sponsor of an immigrant must have domicile in the
United States before the visa can be issued. This generally
means that the sponsor must be living in the United States. In
certain circumstances, however one can be considered to have a
domicile while living temporarily living overseas.
DOS
Abbreviation for Department of State
Dual Intent
Dual intent is the process of nonimmigrants in E, H, and L
status that may simultaneously have intent to stay in the U.S.
temporarily or permanently.
DV
See Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
EAD
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a work
authorization card that is issued by the USCIS. The EAD is the
size and shape of driver’s license.
Embassy
Official United States government office located in foreign
country. Embassies are usually located in the capital of the
country. Embassies deal with political, economic, and visa
issues. The local ambassador is in charge of the Embassy.
Employer Sanctions
U.S. employers who hire illegal immigrants are subject to civil
fines or criminal penalties if a pattern of violations is found.
Employer Verification
The procedure established by the Immigration Reform and Control
Act of 1986 (IRCA) requiring U.S. employers to verify the
identity and eligibility of individuals to legally work. Form
I-9 is used for all individuals (U.S. citizens and aliens) hired
or referred for a fee on or after November 7, 1986. INA Section
274A, 8 USC Section 1324a.
Employment Authorization Document
The official name for a work permit and authorization by the
USCIS to legally take upon work in the United States.
Employment Authorization Letter
An employment letter is needed for employees who wish to be
sponsored for nonimmigrant work status or permanent resident
status. The letter is completed by the sponsoring employer.
Entry Visa
The visa that the US State Department adds to a page in an
individual’s passport. The granting of an entry visa means that
the US State Department is eligible to enter the U.S. for a
particular purpose. Note that an expired visa does not affect an
individuals legal stay in the U.S. As long as the I-94 card is
valid, the visa can be expired. However, if the individual
leaves the U.S., a valid visa is necessary to enter again. One
cannot enter the U.S. with an expired visa.
EOIR
Abbreviation for Executive Office of Immigration Review.
Exchange Visitor
An exchange visitor is a foreigner who enters the United States
as a partaker in an official program by the Secretary of State
for the purpose temporarily. Some of the activities could be
teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing,
conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills,
or receiving training.
Exclusion
Exclusion is the official term for denying an alien entry into
the United States either through an expedited removal procedure
or through removal proceedings in the presence of an immigration
judge.
Extension of Stay
The term used to describe the application process of extending
the stay period listed on Form I-94.
F-1 Status
F-1 is the visa type used by international students to enter
the United States. The I-94 Form in the passport will be marked
with the letters “F-1” and “D/S”. D/S stands for “Duration of
Status”.
Family
First Preference
A category of family immigration (F-1) for unmarried
sons and daughters of American citizens, and their children.
Family Second Preference
A category of family immigration (F-2) for spouses,
children and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent
residents.
Family Third Preference
A category of family immigration (F-3) for married
sons and daughters of American citizens and their spouses and
children. Before 1992 this was known as Fourth Preference (P-4).
Family Fourth Preference
A category of family immigration (F-4) for brothers and
sisters of American citizens and their spouses and children. The
American citizen must be 21 years of age or older before he/she
can file the petition. Before 1992 this was known as Fifth
Preference (P-5).
Fiancé of U.S. Citizen
A nonimmigrant foreigner who enters the United States to
finalize a valid marriage within ninety days of her/his entry
with a U.S. citizen
Files Control Office
An USCIS field office is either a district or a suboffice of
that district where foreigners’ case files are maintained and
controlled.
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year starts October 1 and ends in September 30.
Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM)
The abbreviation for Foreign Affairs Manual Chapter 41, which
relates to nonimmigrant visas. Chapter 42 covers immigrant
visas.
Foreign Alien/National
Any person born outside the U.S who is not a U.S. citizen or
permanent resident.
Foreign Government Official
Foreigners who are accredited by a foreign government to work as
diplomats, public ministers, career diplomatic or consular
officials, other accredited officers, or assistants, servants or
personal employees of accredited officials, and their spouses
and dependent children. These officials enter the United States
for a temporary period as nonimmigrants.
Foreign Information Media Representative
A foreigner who enters the United States temporarily as a bona
fide envoy of foreign press, radio, film, or other foreign
information media and the foreigner’s spouse and dependent
children.
Foreign State of Chargeability
The independent country that an immigrant under the preference
scheme is credited to.
Form DS- 2019
This is a document that the university or school a person is
attending provides to the new student which allows he or she to
enter the U.S. legally through a J-1 visa.
General Naturalization Provisions
The General provisions that every naturalization applicant must
meet such as being 18 years of age, a legal permanent resident
with five years of continuous residence in the United States who
have been physically present in the country for half that period
and who have a good character for at least that period.
Geographic Area of Chargeability
This term refers to Africa, East Asia, Latin America and the
Caribbean, Near East and South Asia, and the former Soviet Union
and Eastern Europe. The world is divided into these areas for
the preliminary admittance of refugees to the United States.
Green Card
A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card
(Form I-151 or Form I-551) is evidence of lawful permanent
resident status in the United States. It allows a foreign
national to live, work legally, travel abroad and return to the
United States. Green Card holders may also apply for U.S.
citizenship after a certain period of time.
H-1B Worker
The classification of an individual who qualifies to perform
a specialty occupation in the U.S. The current period is three
years with an option to renew the H-1B visa for another 3 years
after the first period is over.
Hemispheric Ceilings
The legal numerical limitations on the number of immigrants
entering the United States from all over the world.
Homeless
Persons from countries that do
not have an American Embassy or Consulate where they can apply
for immigrant visas are "homeless." For example, the United
States Government does not have an embassy in Iran. Residents of
Iran are "homeless" for visa purposes.
Household Income
The calculation of the income used to determine whether a
sponsor meets the minimum income requirements under Section 213A
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Immediate Relatives
Immediate relatives are spouses of U.S. citizens, unmarried
citizens’ children under the age 21, and parents of citizens 21
years of age or older. Immediate relatives are excused from the
numerical limitations imposed on immigration to the United
States
Immigrant
See Permanent Resident Alien.
Immigration Act of 1990
Public Law 101-649 that increased the numerical limitations on
legal immigration to the United States, amended the reasons for
exclusion and deportation, allowed provisional protected status
to foreigners of some countries, amended and established new
nonimmigrant entrance classes, amended and extended the Visa
Waiver Pilot Program, and amended naturalization authority and
requirements.
Immigration Judge
A lawyer selected by the Attorney General to perform as an
administrative judge within the Executive Office for Immigration
Review. Immigration Judges are also in charge of removal
proceedings. INA Section 240, 8 USC Section 1229a.
Immigration and Nationality Act
The Act regulates the immigration, temporary admission,
naturalization, and removal of aliens besides other U.S.
immigration laws, treaties, and conventions.
Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986
The law that discourages immigration-related marriage fraud by
stipulating that foreigners who get their immigrant status based
on a marriage of less than two years are conditional immigrants
and should remove their conditional status by applying at an
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office during the
90-day period before the second-year anniversary of getting the
conditional status. The conditional immigrant status may be
ended and the foreigners deported if they cannot demonstrate
that the marriage through which the status was obtained was and
is a valid one.
Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986
The law which was passed to manage and discourage illegal
immigration to the United States by making illegal foreigners
who had been continuously unlawfully present since 1982 legal,
legalizing certain agricultural workers, punishing employers who
intentionally employ undocumented workers, and increasing
enforcement at U.S. borders.
Immigration Status
An individual’s immigration status is noted on the I-94 card by
an Immigration Inspector at the U.S. port-of-entry. During the
duration of a person’s stay in the U.S., this designation is
very important. A visa can for example expire if this
designation is changed while you are in the United States.
INA
See Immigration and Nationality Act.
Inadmissible
This term refers to a foreigner who wants to enter the United
States, but does not meet the entrance criteria set in the INA.
The foreigner may be then removed or permitted to remove his or
her application for admission in some cases.
Industrial Trainee
See Temporary Worker.
INS
Abbreviation of "Immigration and Naturalization Service". The
INS changed its official name on March 1, 2003 to USCIS (United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services). INS was an
extension of the U.S. Justice Department with responsibility for
the admission and control of aliens.
Intending Immigrant
The terms used to describe any beneficiary of an immigrant visa
petition filed under INA Section 204. An intending immigration
is any individual who will accompany or follow-to-join the
principal beneficiary.
International Representative
A nonimmigrant foreigner who enters the United States
temporarily as a principal or other accredited representative of
a foreign government to an international organization, an
international organization officer or employee, and the
foreigner’s spouse and unmarried children.
Intracompany Transferee
A foreigner who is engaged for at least one continuous year out
of the last three by an international company and who requests
to come into the United States temporarily to continue his/her
work for the same employer as a manager, executive, or
specialized worker, and the foreigner’s spouse and unmarried
children.
IRCA
See Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
IV
Immigrant Visa
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
J-1 visas are issued to individuals who take part in a wide
range of exchange visitor programs sponsored by schools,
businesses and a variety of organizations and institutions. The
individual's Form I-94 should be marked "J-1" in addition to the
letters "D/S" (Duration of Status). The duration of stay is the
period of time that is noted on Form IAP-66/DS-2019.
Joint Sponsor
The description of a person who accepts legal responsibility for
supporting an immigrant with an I-864 Affidavit of Support along
with the sponsor. There are certain requirements for joint
sponsors: he or she must be at least 18 years of age, an
American citizen or lawful permanent resident and have a
domicile in the United States.
Jurisdiction
The term used to describe the level of authority to apply the
law in a given territory or region.
K-1 Fiancée/Fiancé Visa
The K-1 Visa, also known as the Fiancée/Fiancé Visa, may be used
by United States citizens who wish to bring their prospective
husbands or wives to the United States with the intention of
getting married.
Kentucky Consular Center (KCC)
KCC is a U.S. Department of State facility located in
Williamsburg, Kentucky. The main task of the office is to
provide domestic support to the worldwide operations of the
Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office. KCC also manages the
Diversity Visa (DV) Program.
Labor Certification
Labor certification is a condition that U.S. employers should
fulfill in order to hire certain skilled workers. The
certification is issued by the Secretary of Labor and includes
attestations by U.S. employers as to the statistics of U.S.
workers available to take on the employment sought after by
foreigners, and the consequence of the foreigner’s work on the
wages and working conditions of U.S. workers who fold similar
jobs.
Labor Condition Application (LCA)
The LCA is a document which must be filed with the Department of
Labor (DOL) before and H-1B petition can begin. The LCA must be
approved before the actual H-1B petition is processed. The LCA
states that the company hiring the H-1B employee will pay the
required wage rate, which is the higher of the prevailing wage
or actual wage. In addition to the wage rate, the LCA also
includes statements about the employer’s attempt to find
national employee and information about the current work
situation in terms of strikes, lock outs, or work stoppage due
to labor disputes.
Last Residence
This is a term that is frequently found on immigration and visa
forms. The country of your “Last Residence” is the country that
an individual lived in before entering the United States.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Any person who is not a citizen of the United States and who
lives in the U.S. under lawfully recognized and legally recorded
permanent residence as an immigrant. It’s also called Permanent
Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card
Holder.
Legal Entry
The process that most visitors and foreign workers go through
when entering the United States via official borders. A U.S.
Immigration and Naturalization Service Official inspects your
documents and grants you permission to enter the United States.
Legalization Dependents
The spouses and children of foreigners who became legal
immigrants under the stipulation of the Immigration Reform and
Control Act of 1986 between 1992 and 1994.
Legalized Aliens
It refers to some illegal aliens who were entitled to submit an
application for temporary resident status under the legalization
provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Legitimated
A child is legitimated if a natural father of a child born out
of wedlock acknowledges the child through a legal procedure. A
legitimated child from any country has two legal parents and
cannot qualify as an orphan unless only one of the parents is
living or both of the parents have deserted the child.
LIFE Act
Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act and
amendments. This act of Congress allows foreign spouses of
American citizens, the children of those foreign spouses, and
spouses and children of certain lawful permanent residents (LPR)
to come to the United States to complete the processing for
their permanent residence. This Act became effective on December
21, 2000.
Local Education Agency
School or school district. Also called LEA. This term is
used for deciding tuition charges for secondary school students
in F-1 visa status.
Lose Status
To stay in the United States longer than the period of time
which Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gave to a person
when he/she entered the United States, or to fail to meet the
requirements or violate the terms of the visa classification.
The person becomes "out of status." For example, you entered the
U.S. on a student visa to study at a university. You work at
your uncle's convenience store without authorization, and do not
study. You have lost status. You are out of status.
Machine Readable Passport (MRP)
A passport which has biographic information entered on the data
page according to international specifications. A machine
readable passport is required to travel with a visa on the Visa
Waiver Program.
Machine Readable Visa (MRV)
A visa that contains biometric information about the passport
holder. A visa that immigration officers read with special
machines when the applicants enter the United States. It gives
biographic information about the passport holder and tells the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information on the type of
visa. It is also called MRV.
Medical and Legal Parolee
See Parolee.
Medical Waiver
A medical waiver allows an immigration applicant to be allowed
into, or stay in the United States even though he/ she have
health conditions that makes them inadmissible.
Migrant
A migrant is an individual who departs his/her country to live
in another country.
Missionary Work
Work performed for a religious organization to spread the faith
(religion) and advance the principles and doctrines of the
religion. Such work may include religious instruction, help for
the elderly and needy and proselytizing.
MSC
Formerly the "Missouri Service Center" but now called the
"National Benefits Center" or NBC.
NACARA
Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.
National
An individual who has pledged allegiance to a certain country.
National Interest Waiver (NIW)
An immigrant visa for which can apply to outstanding aliens who
are exceptional in their field.
National of the United States
A national of the United States is a citizen of the United
States, or a person who, though not a citizen of the United
States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States. For more
information, see INA Section 101(a)(22), 8 USC Section
1101(a)(22).
Nationality
The description used on an individual’s citizenship or country
where the person is deemed a national.
Native
A person born in a particular country is a native of that
country.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Official
A nonimmigrant foreigner who enters the United States
temporarily as a member of the armed forces or as a civilian
employed by the armed forces on assignment with a foreign
government signatory to NATO, and the foreigner’s spouse and
unmarried children.
Naturalization
The bestowment of citizenship upon a person when he/she is born.
Naturalization Application
The form used by legal permanent residents to submit an
application for U.S. citizenship.
NBC
National Benefits Center. The formerly the "Missouri Service
Center".
Nonimmigrant
A foreigner who enters the United States temporarily for a
specific purpose and who must fulfill two requirements: a
permanent residence overseas and actual qualification for the
nonimmigrant classification. Some of the nonimmigrant
classifications are students, international representatives,
temporary workers and trainees, exchange visitors, intracompany
transferees, NATO officials, religious workers among others.
Most nonimmigrants can be accompanied or joined by spouses and
unmarried minor children.
Nondiversity Country
A country that high rates of immigration to the United States.
Not that passport holders of non-diversity countries cannot
participate in the Diversity Visa Program. Another word for
non-diversity countries are occasionally called non-qualifying
or excluded countries.
Nonimmigrant status
The term used to describe an individual’s status for a set
period of time. It is a limited status while in the United
States. The individual is not a permanent resident of the United
States while on a Nonimmigrant Status.
Nonpreference Category
This category was removed by the Immigration Act of 1990 and
used to grant Nonpreference visas to qualified applicants who
were not entitled to a visa under the preferences categories.
North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The agreement that governs the mutual trading relationship
between the United States and Canada and establishes a similar
relationship with Mexico.
Not Subject to Numerical Limitation
This means that an alien is entitled to immigrant status as an
immediate relative within the meaning of INA 201(b)(2)(i), or as
a special immigrant within the meaning of INA 101(a)(27) (A) and
(B), unless specifically subject to a limitation other than
under INA 201(a), (b), or (c).
Notice of Action
A form issued by the USCIS as a proof that a petition or
application is received and in process. The Notice of Action is
also issued by the USCIS as a receipt for paid fees. The Notice
of Action number is I-797. This is not a downloadable form, it
is sent to the applicant by the USCIS.
NPRM
Abbreviation for Notice of Proposed Rule Making
NSC
Nebraska Service Center
Numerical Limit, Exempt from
Those foreigners granted lawful permanent resident statuses and
that are usually exempt from numerical limits set by the
Immigration Act of 1990. Exempt categories consist of immediate
relatives of U.S. citizens, refugees, asylees, Amerasians,
aliens adjusted under the legalization provisions of the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and certain parolees
from the former Soviet Union and Indochina.
Nursing Relief Act of 1989
The act allows H-1 nonimmigrant registered nurses to become
legal permanent residents if they had been employed as nurses
for at least 3 years and who meet certain labor certification
requirements.
Occupation
It refers to the employment held in the country of last legal
residence or in the United States for those foreigners who enter
the United States or change status without a labor
certification. Occupation is the employment for which
certification has been issued for an alien with a labor
certification.
OPT
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. OPT is an
opportunity for foreign students to work year of off-campus. An
new OPT can received at different study levels.
Orphan
The Immigration and Nationality Act defines an orphan for the
purposes of immigration to the United States as:
- A child, whose both parents died, disappeared, or deserted.
- The child of an unmarried mother or surviving parent may be considered an orphan if that parent is unable to care for the child suitably and has irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption in writing.
- The child of an unmarried mother may be considered an orphan only if the mother does not marry and the child’s biological father does not legitimate the child.
- The child of a surviving parent if the surviving parent has not married since the death of the other parent.
Out of Status
A U.S. visa allows the bearer to apply for entry to the
U.S. in a certain classification, for a specific purpose. For
example, student (F), visitor (B), temporary worker (H). Every
visa is issued for a particular purpose and for a specific class
of visitor. Each visa classification has a set of requirements
that the visa holder must follow and maintain. When you arrive
in the U.S., a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) inspector determines whether you will be
admitted, length of stay and conditions of stay in, the U.S.
When admitted you are given a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure
Record), which tells you when you must leave the U.S. The date
granted on the I-94 card at the airport governs how long you may
stay in the U.S. If you do not follow the requirements, you stay
longer than that date, or you engage in activities not permitted
for your particular type of visa, you violate your status and
are considered be "out of status". It is important to understand
the concept of immigration status and the consequences of
violating that status. Failure to maintain status can result in
arrest, and violators may be required to leave the U.S.
Violation of status also can affect the prospect of readmission
to the U.S. for a period of time, by making you ineligible for a
visa. Most people who violate the terms of their status are
barred from lawfully returning to the United States for years.
Overstay
A visitor who has exceed the stay in the U.S. after the date
indicated on the Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94.
Panama Canal Immigrant Act
- Some ex-employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government, their spouses and accompanying children.
- Some previous employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone who are Panamanian nationals, their spouses and children.
- Some previous of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1, 1979, their spouses and children. The Act provides for admission of a maximum of 15,000 immigrants, at a rate of no more than 5,000 each year.
Panel Physician
An overseas Doctor who is appointed by a local U.S. Embassy or
Consulate to offer medical exams as required by the CDC (Center
for Disease Control and Prevention) and USCIS (U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services). Medical examinations that are not
administrated by a Panel Physician will not be accepted by
USCIS.
Parolee
A parolee is a foreigner who appears to be inadmissible to the
inspecting officer; however, he/she is permitted to enter the
United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or when that
foreigner’s admittance is deemed to be of an important public
benefit. Parole is not an official right of entry to the United
States and grants temporary status only, which require parolees
to leave when the conditions supporting their parole stop to
exist.
Passport
A document that is issued by the government of the country of
your citizenship. Passports have expiry dates, and while you
travel in the U.S. your passport must remain valid throughout
the entire duration of your stay.
Per-Country Limit
The number limits of family-sponsored and employment-based
preference visas that can be issued to citizens of any country
in a fiscal year.
Permanent Resident
Any person who is not a citizen of the United States and who
lives in the U.S. under lawfully recognized and legally recorded
permanent residence as an immigrant. It is also called Permanent
Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card
Holder.
Petition
A generic word used to describe the forms used by the USCIS to
determine eligibility for different visa categories.
Port of Entry
Any location in the United States or its territories where
foreigners and U.S. citizens alike can enter the United States
such as airports and border crossings.
Practical Training
A work program designed to let foreign students work in the
United States after of during their university degree.
Pre-Inspection
The process of inspecting airport passengers before departing
from foreign countries to the United States. The United States
immigration does not require inspection upon arrival, however.
Preference System (Immigration Act of 1990)
The nine classes under which the family-sponsored and
employment-based immigrant preference visas are granted as of
1992.
- The family-sponsored preferences
are:
1. Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
2. Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens
3. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
4. Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
- The employment-based preferences
are:
1. Investors
2. Priority workers or those individuals that possess extraordinary abilities
3. Professionals with advanced degrees or foreigners with exceptional ability
4. Skilled workers, professionals without advanced degrees, and needed unskilled workers
5. Special immigrants
Prevailing Wage
This is the wage that is provided by the Employment
Development Department (EDD) after the sponsoring company has
submitted a Prevailing Wage Determination Request.
Principal Alien
It is the foreigner who submits an application for immigrant
status and from whom another foreigner may get lawful status
under immigration law or regulations such as spouses and
children. The principal is the primary person applying as
opposed to dependent. Example; TN is a principal classification,
and TD is the dependent classification.
Priority Date
This term refers to the date a petition is filed during a USCIS
Immigrant visa application process. If the foreigner relative
has a priority date on or before the date listed in the visa
bulletin, then he or she is currently eligible for a visa.
Public Charge
Refers to becoming dependent upon the government for the
expenses of living (food, shelter, clothing, etc.). Following
U.S. immigration law, an applicant is ineligible for a visa if
he/she will be a public charge.
Qualifying Date
The date which the
Visa Office of the Department of State uses the qualifying date
to determine when to send the Instruction Package to an
immigrant visa applicant. The Instruction Package tells the
applicant what documents need to be prepared for the immigrant
visa application.
Quota System
The system used to limit the number of visas available to each
country for particular visa classifications.
Rank Order
Number
The number that Kentucky Consular Center gives to the
entries of DV Program (lottery) as the computer selects them.
The first entries chosen have the lowest numbers. The Visa
Office of the Department of State gives winning entries a chance
to apply for immigration according to their rank order number
for their region.
Receipt Notice
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) form, Notice of Action
I-797, which says that the DHS has received a petition.
Re-Entry Permit
A declaration of an individual’s intention to maintain U.S.
permanent residence during prolonged absence from the United
States. Its official name is "Form I-131, Application for Travel
Document." - Note that the alien must be physically present in
the United States to file an application for a re-entry permit.
Refugee
A refugee is anybody who is incapable or reluctant to go back to
his/her country of nationality while they are in another country
because he/she will be persecuted or afraid of being persecuted.
The reasons for persecution or fear of persecution have to be
the foreigner’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a
unique social group, or political views. The country of
nationality is considered to be the country in which the
foreigner most recently lived for those without nationality.
Refugees are entitled to adjust to the legal permanent resident
category after one year of continuous presence in the United
States.
Refugee Approvals
The number of refugees that are permitted to be admitted into
the United States during a fiscal year.
Refugee Arrivals
The number of refugees that actually entered the United States
during a fiscal year.
Refugee Authorized Admissions
The ceiling number of refugees allowable to come into the United
States during a fiscal year which is decided by the President of
the United States after consulting with Congress.
Refugee-Parolee
Refugee- parolees are those individuals who eligible for
provisional admittance to the United States between February
1970 and April 1980, but could not be accepted because of
insufficient numbers of seventh preference visas. As a
consequence, these individuals entered the United States as
parolees.
Regional Offices
There are three USCIS Regional Offices that supervise the work
of USCIS Districts and Border Patrol Sectors. They are located
in Burlington, VT, for the Eastern Region, Dallas, TX, for the
Central Region, and Laguna Nigel, CA, for the Western Region.
Registry Date
Aliens who have continuously resided in the United States since
January 1, 1972, are of good moral character, and are not
inadmissible, are eligible to adjust to legal permanent resident
status under the registry provision. Before the Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986 amended the date, aliens had to
have been in the country continuously since June 30, 1948 to
qualify.
Regulation
A rule which is established under the provisions of INA 104(a).
The rule is further duly published in the Federal Register.
Removal
The process of removing foreigners from the United States which
justified because they are found to be either inadmissible or
deportable.
Request for Evidence (RFE)
A letter that the USCIS uses to request additional information
on a pending case.
Required Departure
See Voluntary Departure.
Resettlement
The process of relocating refugees permanently to a place
outside their country of origin and permit them to become legal
residents of that place. Refugee resettlement is done through
private charitable agencies that work with the Department of
Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement to help
refugees relocate.
Resident Alien
Any person who is not a citizen of the United States and who
lives in the U.S. under lawfully recognized and legally recorded
permanent residence as an immigrant. It is also called Permanent
Resident Alien, Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card
Holder.
Returning Resident
Any legal Permanent Resident who has been outside the United
States and is returning to the U.S. It is also called special
immigrant. The returning resident must submit an application to
be readmitted to the U.S if he/she was outside of the United
States for more than 180 days. He /she is generally required to
have a re-entry documentation from USCIS or an immigrant visa
from the Department of State if he/she was outside of the United
States for more than one year and is coming back to his or her
permanent home in the United States.
Revalidation of a Visa
Another term for renewal of a visa.
Safe Haven
Impermanent protection granted to refugees or asylees who have
run away from their countries of origin to request help, safety
or respite from persecution or other hardships. The protection
is usually granted until they can go back to their countries
safe and sound or, if needed, until they can get permanent
relief from the conditions they are running away from.
SAW
Abbreviation for Special Agricultural Worker.
Service Centers
There are four service offices in the United States that are
responsible for filing, data entry, and arbitration of some
applications for immigration services and benefits. Service
Centers are not staffed to receive walk-in applications or
questions, so all applications have to be mailed.
SEVIS
SEVIS stands for “The Student Exchange Visitor Information
System”. This particular system is used by the federal
government to monitor student visas in the United States.
Special Agricultural Workers (SAW)
Foreigners who worked in perishable agricultural commodities for
a specified period of time and were allowed to enter the United
States for short-term and then became permanent residents under
a provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Special Immigrants
Some classes of immigrants who were excepted from numerical
restrictions before fiscal year 1992 and subject to control
under the employment-based fourth preference beginning in 1992
such as persons who lost citizenship by marriage, persons who
lost citizenship by serving in foreign armed forces and so
forth.
Special Naturalization Provisions
Such special provisions permit special classes of persons to
become U.S. citizens despite the fact that they do not meet all
the common requirements for naturalization:
- Wives or husbands of U.S. citizens are allowed to file for naturalization after three years of legal permanent residence instead of the general five years period
- Surviving spouses of a U.S. citizen who worked in the armed forces are allowed to file for naturalization in any district instead of where he/she resides
- Children of U.S. citizen parents can become citizens without meeting certain requirements or taking the oath if they are too young to comprehend the meaning
- Other categories of persons who may qualify for special consideration such as previous U.S. citizens, servicemen, seamen, and employees of organizations supporting U.S. interests overseas.
Sponsor
To sponsor a foreigner means to bring to the United States or
petition for that foreigner in the immigration sense. A
"sponsor" is also a person who completes Form I-864, Affidavit
of Support under Section 213A of the Act.
Sponsored Immigrant
An immigrant on whose behalf a sponsor has executed an affidavit
of support. The affidavit of support includes any spouse or
child who will accompany or follow-to-join the beneficiary of an
immigrant visa petition filed by a sponsor.
Stateless
A person who is not a national of any country.
Stowaway
A foreigner who comes secretly to the United States by hiding in
an airplane or ship without being officially authorized to
enter. Such a person will be denied admission and will be
returned to the point of embarkation by the transporter.
Student
A nonimmigrant foreigner who comes to the United States
temporarily to study in an approved program in either an
academic such as college, university, seminary, conservatory,
academic high school, elementary school, other institution, or
language training program; a vocational or other recognized
nonacademic organization.
Sub-Offices
Offices established in some Districts so as to provide many
services and enforcement functions and to increase convenience
to customers.
Subject to the Numerical Limit
The classes of legal immigrants subject to numerical limitations
under the provisions of the flexible numerical limit of 675,000
set by the Immigration Act of 1990. The largest classes are the
family-sponsored preferences, employment-based preferences, and
diversity immigrants.
Suspension of Deportation
A remedy in deportation proceedings which must be initiated
before removal proceedings began under the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 [IIRAIRA] on
April 1, 1997. It involves certain individuals who have been in
the U.S. for 7 or 10 years and who met other criteria as set
forth in former INA Section 244(a).
SWA
Abbreviation for State Workforce Agency.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The TPS sets up a legislative foundation for permitting a group
of people provisional refuge in the United States. The Attorney
General may select nationals of a foreign country to be entitled
for TPS with a finding that conditions in that country present a
risk to personal safety because of continuing armed wars or a
natural catastrophe. TPS is allowed for periods of 6 to 18
months in the beginning and may be extended depending on the
situation. Removal procedures are generally suspended against
foreigners while they are in Temporary Protected Status.
Temporary Resident
See Nonimmigrant.
Temporary Worker
Nonimmigrant temporary worker classes of admission, who come to
the United States to work temporarily, are:
- H-1A - Temporary registered nurses (discontinued)
- H-1B - specialty occupations workers admitted on the basis of professional education, skills, and/or equivalent experience
- H-1C - registered nurses who work in areas that have a shortage of health professionals under the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999 (discontinued)
- H-2A - temporary agricultural workers coming to the United States to carry out agricultural services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature when approved workers are unavailable in the United States
- H-2B - temporary non-agricultural workers coming to the United States to carry out temporary services or labor if unemployed persons able to perform the service or labor cannot be found in the United States
- H-3 - aliens coming temporarily to the United States as trainees, other than to receive graduate medical education or training
- O-1, O-2, O-3 - temporary workers with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; those entering exclusively to escort and help such workers in addition to their spouses and children
- P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4 - athletes and entertainers at an internationally recognized level of performance; artists and entertainers under a mutual exchange program; artists and entertainers under a program that is "culturally unique" in addition to their spouses and children
- Q-1, Q-2, Q-3 – members in international cultural exchange programs; members in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program in addition to spouses and children of Irish Peace Process members
- R-1, R-2 - Religious temporary workers and their spouses and children.
Transit without Visa (TWOV)
A transit alien admitted under agreements with a transportation
line, which assures instant and incessant passage to a foreign
destination without a nonimmigrant visa.
Treaty Country
A foreign state which is qualified as a Treaty of Friendship,
Commerce, or Navigation or its equivalent exists with the United
States of America.
Treaty Trader or Investor
A nonimmigrant foreigner coming to the United States, under the
provisions of a treaty of commerce and navigation between the
United States and the foreign state of such alien, to perform
extensive trading or to manage the business in which he/she has
invested a considerable sum of money in addition to the spouse
and unmarried minor children.
TSC
The acronym for two instances: Texas Service Center OR Terrorist
Screening Center.
Underrepresented Countries, Natives
of
Natives of those countries that received less than 25 percent of
the utmost visa numbers allowed under the country limitations.
United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement
The agreement that governs the mutual trading relationship
between the United States and Canada and establishes a similar
relationship with Mexico.
USCIS
USCIS is abbreviated for United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services. It is a bureau created under the
Department of Homeland Security. The former official name was
INS, but INS was replaced by USCIS on 3/1/2003.
Visa
A United States visa grants the holder the right to apply for
entry to the United States, but does not grant the visa holder
the right to enter the United States. Entry can be refused at
the port of entry. The Department of State (DOS) is in charge of
visa administration at U.S. Embassies and Consulates outside of
the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of
Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) immigration inspectors
decide admittance, duration of stay and conditions in the U.S.
at a port of entry. DHS immigration inspectors will record the
terms of your admission on your I-94 or I-94W and in your
passport upon approval of entry.
Visa Waiver Program
The program permits citizens of certain countries to enter the
U.S. for business or pleasure up to 90 days. The following
countries are currently in the visa waiver program: Andorra,
Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Voluntary Departure
A foreigner departs voluntarily from the United States without
an order of removal with or without a preceding hearing before
an immigration judge. A foreigner who departs voluntarily admits
removability but he/she is not barred from seeking admission at
a port-of-entry at any time. However, failure to depart, if
removable, can result in a fine and a ten-year ban to several
forms of relief from deportation.
VSC
Vermont Service Center.
Waiver
The term used to describe the change of inadmissibility for
certain aliens, either in the United States or outside the
United States.
Western Hemisphere
Used on North America, Central America, South America, and
the adjacent islands according to INA 101(b)(5).
Withdrawal
Withdrawal happens if arriving foreigners voluntarily withdraw
their application for admission to the United States instead of
having to appear in front of an immigration judge for a removal
hearing or a fast removal. Withdrawals are not listed under a
person’s nonimmigrant admittance data
Work Permit
A work permit is normally used to describe an Employment
Authorization Document.