By: Sarah Lewisohn
Step into the world of immigration law, where every term is a key that unlocks stories of hope and the pursuit of new beginnings.
From “Asylee/Refugee” to “Green Card” and “Naturalization”, these terms are more than legal jargon – they are the building blocks of dreams and the foundation of futures.
We at International House recognize that these terms can be difficult to grasp and differentiate, as many mean similar things yet hold significant differences.
Are you struggling with such terminology?
We hope that you'll learn something new with this guide as we continue to navigate the complicated vocabulary associated with immigration.
Disclaimer: This article is meant to serve as a guide for the proper usage of different terms regarding immigration, and does not reflect the services that International House provides. Learn more about International House's services at ihclt.org/programs.
Most of these definitions have been pulled from the USCIS – both their glossary and other pages on their site (which will be linked throughout). The source list is included at the end of the article if you'd like to learn more.
Alien
An alien is “any person not a citizen or national of the United States,” per section 101(a)(3) of The Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(3)) This definition, however, is broad and encompasses many subcategories and terms.
Asylee/Asylum Seeker/Refugee
A non-citizen or non-national of the United States who is either in the U.S. or at a port of entry who is either unable or reluctant to return to their country of nationality and/or receive protection from that country due to persecution or fear of persecution. Persecution, in this case, is defined as mistreatment or oppression based on religion, nationality, political opinion, and/or involvement within a social group.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
DACA is a program that grants two years of deferred action of removal due to unlawful presence to individuals who entered the United States as children and meet several key guidelines. These guidelines include coming to the U.S. before your 16th birthday, residing in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007, etc. Read more from the USCIS here.
This deferred action is subject to renewal, and if renewed can make individuals eligible for work authorization.
Deportation
When a noncitizen individual is formally removed from the U.S. as they were found to have violated immigration laws. This includes participating in criminal acts, acting as a threat to public safety, and violating their visa.
The individual may go before an immigration judge in court, however, may also be subject to expedited removal (without attending court) for reasons such as:
Improper travel documents
Forged travel documents
Not complying with their visa and/or other requirements for different entry documents.
Detain
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can detain individuals before trial or deportation, holding them in an immigration detention center. Also pulled from USA.gov.
DREAMers
An undocumented immigrant who came to the United States as a child. Not all Dreamers are protected under DACA – either because they did not apply and/or aged into the program after they halted new applicants.
Information pulled from National Immigration Forum. Read more here.
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
Under the U.S. Department of Justice, the EOIR is responsible for the administration of both immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Immigration courts hear the cases of immigrants who the Department of Homeland Security has charged for violating immigration law. Immigration judges on these courts determine whether an immigrant individual shall be removed from the U.S. or granted protection from removal.
Learn more about the EOIR on the U.S. Department of Justice website here.
Green Card
Cards issued to non-citizens and non-nationals as evidence of the status of lawful permanent residence in the United States. Most Green Cards are valid for 10 years.
Other names for Green Cards – Permanent Residence Card, Form I-551, alien registration card.
Guardians ad litem
One appointed by a court to protect the interests of an individual who cannot take care of themselves, oftentimes a minor. They can advocate for unaccompanied immigrant children in immigration cases.
Get a further breakdown of what this means from Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute here.
Illegal
An immigrant is considered “illegal” if they are undocumented in the United States. It is most common to refer to “illegal” immigrants as undocumented immigrants – those who enter a country unlawfully.
Immigrant
An immigrant is any individual lawfully in the U.S. who is either not a U.S. citizen, not a U.S. national, or is not admitted under a nonimmigrant category as laid out in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Different from an Undocumented Immigrant.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
An agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security whose mission is to “Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.” Their work is intended to uphold immigration law through Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), fighting transnational crime that threatens Americans, and other operations.
Read more at their official website here.
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Enacted in 1952, this is the primary law for immigration. It is contained under Title 8 of the U.S. Code, “Aliens and Nationality.” Its sections include “Title I: General Provisions,” “Title II: Immigration,” “Title III: Nationality and Naturalization,” “Title IV: Refugee Assistance,” and “Title V: Alien Terrorist Removal Procedures.”
Get a further breakdown of the INA from USCIS here.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
A non-citizen of the United States who is living in the United States lawfully, and is permitted permanent, legally recognized residence.
Also known as “permanent resident alien,” “Green Card holder,” and “resident alien permit holder.”
Migrant
An individual who leaves their country of origin, seeking residence in another country, whether temporary or permanent.
Naturalization
The process where a non-citizen of the U.S. becomes a U.S. citizen. One must fill out the USCIS Form N-400 to apply for naturalization. The USCIS highlights the ten main steps of the intricate naturalization process here.
Sponsor
To petition for and/or bring an immigrant to the United States. Most commonly, individuals in the U.S. sponsor relatives, employees, and orphans (for adoption purposes).
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Non-nationals of the United States may apply and be granted Temporary Protected Status if conditions in their home country create danger for the individual. TPS is generally granted for 6 to 18 months, however can be extended.
Unaccompanied Children (UACs)
Under United States law, a child under the age of 18 who unlawfully enters the United States without a legal parent/guardian is considered an Unaccompanied Child. Information via the National Immigrant Justice Center.
Undocumented Immigrant
An immigrant who lives in the United States without official legal status. Here is a good breakdown for who is considered “undocumented” from Immigrants Rising.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
A federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security whose mission is to “uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.” They oversee lawful immigration to the U.S., providing services such as citizenship, the immigration of family members, working in the U.S., adoption, humanitarian programs, etc.
Read more at the official USCIS website here.
Visa
A permit that allows an individual to apply for entry into the United States for reasons such as being a student, visitor, or temporary worker. A visa does not automatically grant someone permission to enter the U.S. and is reviewed by the Department of State in both U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
Would you like to learn more about International House and our work with immigrant communities in Charlotte?
Visit our website, and continue to use this guide to understand what exactly we do in each of our programs.
Other Sources:
Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
Immigrants Rising
National Immigration Forum
National Immigrant Justice Center
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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