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Glossary of Immigration Terms
| Immigration Articles >> General Information >> Glossary of Immigration Terms >> A |
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following immigration terms and abbreviations. These are common immigration terms used at USCIS offices, United States Embassies, and
United States Consulates. You will also find these terms in immigration forms
and other legal documents.
Our Glossary of Immigration Terms is organized in alphabetical order and divided into sections due to its extensive size. Use the menu below to locate the term you are looking for.
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"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).
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, related to immigration, means the lawful entry into the United
States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer. Note that
admission excludes a person who is paroled or permitted tin the United States temporarily.
Adjustment of Immigrant Status
A process that permits foreigners who are already in the United
States to apply for immigrant status.
Foreign nationals 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 when an immigrant who is undergoing an "adjustment of status" has legal permission to leave the United States and re-enter.
Affidavit of Support
The affidavit of support is a sworn document provided by an individual who will
provide financial support to an alien that seeks 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. Both forms have different uses and
requirements, consult Form I-864 and
Form I-134 for appropriate directions.
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.
Amer-asian Act
Public Law 97-359 (Act of 10/22/82) that permits certain Amer-asian 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).
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 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.
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