JUSTImmigration Glossary

As the debate around immigration and immigration reform heats up on both the federal and state level, it is important to learn about the terminology that is being tossed around in political debate and the media. Here are some terms we deal with on a daily basis at Sarah's.

Asylum: legal permission to live in a country given by the government to people who are fleeing persecution in their country of origin.

Asylum Seeker or Asylee: someone who seeks safety in a country other than their country of origin.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): government agency created after September 11, 2001, which is now responsible for border security and all immigration and naturalization services.

Diversity Visa Program: an annual lottery for immigration to the United States. Up to 55,000 immigrants can enter the United States each year. Those who enter on a diversity visa are given a green card.

Green Card: A slang term for a document granting legal permanent residency to someone who is not a United States citizen. A legal permanent resident can live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The document used to be green in color, which is why it is called a “green card.”

Immigrate: to move to a country where one is not a native.

Immigrants: people who come to a new country where they hope to settle and obtain permanent citizenship.

Refugee: a person who leaves her or his country of origin because of a fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a certain group, or political opinion.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): part of Department of Homeland Security which oversees immigration and naturalization.

Visa: a permit granted by the government to those who are not U.S. citizens that allows them to enter the United States. There are two types of visas: temporary (such as for students and tourists) and permanent (for those who want to stay in the U.S. on a long-term basis)

This glossary was compiled using information from these sources:
USCIS Glossary and Acronyms: http://uscis.gov/graphics/glossary.htm

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