Immigration Law Glossary
A bilingual reference of the immigration terms, forms, and acronyms our clients ask about most. Free to use; not legal advice.
Showing 49 of 49 terms.
- 65/20 Exception
- A naturalization exception allowing applicants age 65+ who have been LPRs for 20+ years to take a simplified civics test (20 questions instead of 100) in their native language.
- Adjustment of Status
- The process by which a person already in the United States can apply for a green card without leaving the country, using Form I-485.
- Adjustment of Status (AOS)
- Common abbreviation for Adjustment of Status, the in-country process to obtain lawful permanent resident status.
- Advance Parole
- A travel document that allows certain non-citizens (including DACA recipients and adjustment-of-status applicants) to travel abroad and return to the United States.
- Affirmative Asylum
- An asylum application filed with USCIS by a person who is not currently in removal proceedings, decided at an Asylum Office interview.
- Asylum
- Protection granted to people in the United States who can show past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals)
- The administrative appellate body within the Department of Justice that reviews decisions of immigration judges. BIA decisions can be further appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
- Bond Hearing
- A hearing at which an immigration judge decides whether a detained non-citizen can be released on bond pending the outcome of removal proceedings.
- Cancellation of Removal
- A defense to deportation available to certain non-permanent residents who can show 10+ years of physical presence, good moral character, and exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a US citizen or LPR family member.
- CAT (Convention Against Torture)
- A form of protection that prevents removal of a person more likely than not to face torture by or with the consent of a public official in the country of removal.
- Consular Processing
- The process for obtaining an immigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate abroad, used when the intending immigrant is outside the United States.
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
- A program established in 2012 that grants temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to certain people brought to the United States as children.
- Defensive Asylum
- An asylum application filed as a defense to removal in immigration court proceedings.
- EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
- A work permit issued by USCIS that allows the holder to work legally in the United States for a specified period.
- EB-1, EB-2, EB-3
- Employment-based immigrant visa categories: EB-1 for extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, and multinational executives; EB-2 for advanced degree professionals or individuals of exceptional ability; EB-3 for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
- EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review)
- The Department of Justice agency that includes the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
- F2A / F2B Preference
- Family-sponsored visa preference categories. F2A: spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents. F2B: unmarried sons and daughters age 21+ of lawful permanent residents.
- Form I-130
- Petition for Alien Relative, filed by a US citizen or lawful permanent resident to establish a qualifying family relationship with a foreign relative.
- Form I-485
- Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, used to apply for a green card from inside the United States.
- Form I-589
- Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
- Form I-601A
- Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Allows certain immediate relatives of US citizens (and some LPRs) to apply for a waiver of unlawful presence before leaving the US for consular processing.
- Form I-918
- Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, filed by victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse.
- Form N-400
- Application for Naturalization, used by lawful permanent residents to apply for US citizenship.
- Good Moral Character
- A naturalization eligibility requirement that the applicant demonstrate good moral character during the statutory period (typically 5 years, or 3 if married to a US citizen).
- Green Card (Lawful Permanent Resident)
- Evidence of lawful permanent resident status (LPR), authorizing the holder to live and work permanently in the United States.
- H-1B Visa
- A nonimmigrant visa for foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a US bachelor's-equivalent degree in a related field. Subject to an annual cap and lottery for most employers.
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
- The Department of Homeland Security agency responsible for civil and criminal immigration enforcement, including arrests, detention, and removal.
- Immediate Relative
- A spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a US citizen age 21+. Immediate relatives are not subject to numerical visa limits and can typically apply for green cards without quota waits.
- Individual Hearing (Merits Hearing)
- The trial-like hearing in immigration court at which evidence and testimony on a case are presented and the immigration judge makes a final decision.
- K-1 Visa
- A nonimmigrant visa allowing the foreign fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the United States for marriage within 90 days of arrival, after which the spouse can apply for a green card.
- LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident)
- A non-citizen authorized to live and work permanently in the United States, evidenced by a green card.
- Master Calendar Hearing
- The first and intermediate hearings in immigration court at which scheduling, pleadings, and procedural matters are addressed, before the individual merits hearing.
- Motion to Reopen
- A request to reopen a removal case based on new facts that were not available at the prior hearing.
- National Interest Waiver (NIW)
- An EB-2 employment-based green card classification that waives the labor certification and job offer requirements for individuals whose work is in the national interest.
- Naturalization
- The process by which a foreign citizen becomes a US citizen, typically after meeting residence, physical presence, good moral character, English, and civics requirements.
- Notario Fraud
- Unauthorized practice of immigration law by a non-attorney who claims to provide legal services. In California, only licensed attorneys (or accredited non-profit representatives) can give immigration legal advice.
- Notice to Appear (NTA)
- The charging document that initiates removal proceedings against a non-citizen, served by DHS.
- NVC (National Visa Center)
- The State Department center that processes immigrant visa applications after USCIS petition approval, before consular interview scheduling.
- O-1 Visa
- A nonimmigrant visa for individuals of extraordinary ability or achievement in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- Priority Date
- The date when a family- or employment-based immigrant visa petition is filed; determines the place in line under the Visa Bulletin.
- Removal Proceedings
- Immigration court proceedings to determine whether a non-citizen is removable from the United States and whether any relief from removal applies.
- TN Visa
- A nonimmigrant visa under USMCA (formerly NAFTA) available to Mexican and Canadian citizens in qualifying professional categories.
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
- Designated protection from removal and work authorization for nationals of countries facing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions.
- U Visa
- A nonimmigrant visa for victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial abuse and are helpful to law enforcement.
- Unlawful Presence Bar
- A 3-year (180+ days unlawful presence) or 10-year (1+ year unlawful presence) bar on returning to the United States after departure, triggered by accruing unlawful presence and then leaving.
- USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- The Department of Homeland Security agency that adjudicates immigration benefit applications, including green cards, work permits, asylum, and naturalization.
- VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
- A self-petition pathway allowing certain abused spouses, children, and parents of US citizens or lawful permanent residents to seek immigration benefits without the abuser's cooperation.
- Visa Bulletin
- A monthly State Department publication showing which priority dates are current for each family- and employment-based preference category.
- Withholding of Removal
- A form of relief from removal that bars the government from removing a non-citizen to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened. Higher standard than asylum but does not allow family reunification or a path to citizenship.