Common Immigration Terms

Alien

The person who is not a citizen of the United States.

Undocumented

A person without immigration status or without proof of their immigration status.

Child

For immigration purposes you are considered a child if you are under 21 and not married. You are still considered a child, even if you have your own children, as long as you are under the age of 21.

“A”(like the letter A) Number

you will be given something called an “A Number” that will be used to identify you as you go through the immigration system. You will need to know this number until you get citizenship. You can find this number on your immigration documents. It has nine digits and begins with the letter “A.” For example, A 123-456-789.

Immigration Attorney/Lawyer

When you are in immigration court, you have the right to an attorney, but the government does not have to pay for one. There are resources to get an attorney for free. If you have an attorney, they represent you in your immigration case. Your attorney will tell you your options to stay in the United States and what your rights are. Your attorney’s job is to work for you and fight for your rights in your immigration case.  Information that you share with your attorney is confidential, meaning that they cannot share it with others unless you agree to share the information

Papers

Documents that show you can be in the United States legally or are working on getting lawful presence or lawful status.

Adjustment of Status

This happens when a non-citizen gets a green card/or becomes a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).

Lawful Permanent Resident “LPR”

This is also known as a “green card holder.” This is a permanent status. In most cases, you can apply for citizenship after having your green card for 5 years if you are over 18 years old. A green card is usually valid for 10 years but could be valid for a shorter period of time, such as 2 years. Having a green card helps you get more public benefits such as healthcare because you are “qualified” under certain federal laws. You can also use your LPR/green card status to ask for certain other family members to get their own status.

Unaccompanied Child (UC)

If you came to the United States without your mom or dad, even if you came with other relatives, or if you were in an immigrant children’s shelter through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), you are considered an Unaccompanied Child may be qualify for special protections under the law.

Principal

The person who is filing for the immigration benefits (this will usually be you).

Derivative or beneficiary

These are people like parents, brothers or sisters, or your children, that could benefit from your immigration status by getting a green card or work permit as well. Talk to your immigration attorney about this.

USCIS

United States Citizenship & Immigration Service.  This is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that handles all affirmative processing of immigration petitions.

EOIR

Executive Office of Immigration Review; government agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ) that handles immigration court cases, which are defensive processing. Immigration court is also known as “removal proceedings” or “deportation proceedings.”

CBP

Customs and Border Protection. This is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that keeps are borders, airports and seaports safe. They can stop individuals found within 100 miles of the U.S. border, which in Florida means the entire state.

ICE

Immigration & Customs Enforcement. This is the agency under Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that handles immigration check-in appointments, custody, detention, and deportation for all adults and family units.

ORR

Office of Refugee Resettlement.  This is the agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that is responsible for initial custody and placement decisions for unaccompanied children (UC).

DHS

Department of Homeland Security. Most immigration agencies, with some exceptions, fall under the authority of DHS.

DOJ

Department of Justice. Immigration court is operated under the authority of the DOJ.