Vocab

Question 1

A-Number

Answer 1

An eight- or nine-digit number following the letter A (for Alien) that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assigns to someone who applies for a green card or immigration benefits, or who are placed in removal proceedings. Once assigned this number, USCIS uses it to track each file.

Question 2

Acculturation

Answer 2

A series of changes in cultural mores (ideas, words, values, norms, behavior, institutions) resulting from direct and continuous contact between groups of different cultures, particularly through migratory movements or economic exchanges. Acculturation can occur when one group adopts the traits of the dominant culture of a society in public life while keeping its own culture in the private sphere.

Question 3

Adjustment to Immigrant Status

Answer 3

Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States to apply for immigrant status. Aliens admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant, refugee, or parolee category may have their status changed to that of lawful permanent resident if they are eligible to receive an immigrant visa and one is immediately available. In such cases, the alien is counted as an immigrant as of the date of adjustment, even though the alien may have been in the United States for an extended period of time. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 4

Admission

Answer 4

The granting of entry into a State (i.e Nation). A non-national has been ‘admitted’ if he or she passed through a checkpoint (air, land or sea) and is permitted to enter by border officials. A non-national who has entered clandestinely is not considered to have been admitted. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 5

Affidavit of Support

Answer 5

A certified legal document, containing written testimony given under oath before a competent authority. In the migration context, an affidavit is normally signed by a sponsor, guaranteeing full cost of maintenance of a migrant to enable entry to be granted into the country, frequently required for elderly migrants and those who are ill and unable to fend for themselves. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 6

Alien*

Answer 6

a foreign-born person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.

Question 7

Apprehension

Answer 7

The arrest of a removable alien by the Department of Homeland Security. Each apprehension of the same alien in a fiscal year is counted separately. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 8

Arrival/Departure Card

Answer 8

A card which is filled out by an individual prior to or upon arrival in the country of destination and presented (along with passport and, if requested, a visa) to officials at the border checkpoint. In some States, border officials collect the card upon entry, while in other States, the card or portion of it is returned to the traveller and must be presented upon departure from the State. International standards for such cards are defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Annex 9, Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 9

*Assimilation

Answer 9

Adaptation of one ethnic or social group – usually a minority – to another. Assimilation involves the subsuming of language, traditions, values, mores and behaviour or even fundamental vital interests. Although the traditional cultural practices of the group are unlikely to be completely abandoned, on the whole assimilation will lead one group to be socially indistinguishable from other members of the society. Assimilation is the most extreme form of acculturation. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 10

*Asylee

Answer 10

An alien in the United States or at a port of entry who is found to be unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality, or to seek the protection of that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. Persecution or the fear thereof must be based on the alien’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 11

Beneficiaries

Answer 11

Aliens on whose behalf a U.S. citizen, legal permantent resident, or employer have filed a petition for such aliens to receive immigration benefits from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Beneficiaries generally receive a lawful status as a result of their relationship to a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. employer. (Source: Immigration Glossary and acronyms at http://immigration.findlaw.com/)

Question 12

Business Nonimmigrant

Answer 12

An alien coming temporarily to the United States to engage in commercial transactions which do not involve gainful employment in the United States, i.e., engaged in international commerce on behalf of a foreign firm, not employed in the U.S. labor market, and receives no salary from U.S. sources. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 13

Checkpoint

Answer 13

A location (on the land border or at an airport or seaport) where persons are stopped by border officials for inspection and clearance, in order to enter the State. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 14

*Citizenship

Answer 14

The country in which a person is born or naturalized and to which that person owes allegiance and by which he or she is entitled to be protected.

Question 15

Circular Migration

Answer 15

The fluid movement of people between countries, including temporary or long-term movement which may be beneficial to all involved, if occurring voluntarily and linked to the labor needs of countries of origin and destination. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 16

Clandestine Migration

Answer 16

Secret or concealed migration in breach of immigration requirements. It can occur when a non-national breaches the entry regulations of a country; or having entered a country legally overstays in breach of immigration regulations. The generic term “irregular migration” should preferably be used. (Source: The International Organization for Migration) (Alternative language to ‘Undocumented”).

Question 17

Conditional resident

Answer 17

Any alien granted permanent resident status on a conditional basis (for example, a spouse of a U.S. citizen or an immigrant investor) who must petition to remove the conditions of his or her status before the second anniversary of the approval date of his or her conditional status. Source: USCIS)

Question 18

Contiguous Zone

Answer 18

A maritime area adjoining the territorial sea of a coastal State. In its contiguous zone, a State may exercise the necessary control to (a) prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea and (b) punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 19

Country of Origin

Answer 19

The country that is a source of migratory flows. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 20

Country of Transit

Answer 20

The country through which migratory flows (regular
21. or irregular) move. Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 21

Crewman

Answer 21

A foreign national serving in a capacity required for normal operations and service on board a vessel or aircraft. Crewmen are admitted for twenty-nine days, with no extensions. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 22

*DACA

Answer 22

This policy by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allows certain young immigrants who do not have lawful immigration status, and who came to the United States as children, to remain in the U.S. temporarily without fear of deportation. This new policy is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Question 23

Deferred action

Answer 23

A use of prosecutorial discretion to not remove an individual from the country for a set period of time, unless the deferred action is terminated for some reason. Deferred action is determined on a case-by-case basis and only establishes lawful presence but does not provide immigration status or benefits of any kind. DACA is one type of deferred action. (Source: USCIS) Immigrants who can apply for deferred action under this policy are often called DREAMers. (Source: http://www.massresources.org/)

Question 24

De Facto Partner

Answer 24

A union existing as a matter of fact. A growing number of States recognize not only spouses, but also certain relationships between unmarried adults, for purposes of granting permanent residence or other immigration status. Examples of “de facto partners” include partners in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship who have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for a defined period of time.

Question 25

De Facto Refugees

Answer 25

Persons not recognized as refugees within the meaning of the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1967, and who are unable or, for reasons recognized as valid, unwilling to return to the country of their nationality or, if they have no nationality, to the country of their habitual residence. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 26

Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Answer 26

A government agency created in 2003 to handle immigration and other security-related issues. DHS became the umbrella agency encompassing USCIS, ICE, and CBP. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 27

Departure Under Safeguards

Answer 27

The departure of an illegal alien from the United States which is physically observed by a Department of Homeland Security official. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 28

Deportable Alien

Answer 28

An alien in and admitted to the United States subject to any grounds of removal specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes any alien illegally in the United States, regardless of whether the alien entered the country by fraud or misrepresentation or entered legally but subsequently lost legal status. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 29

\*Deportation

Answer 29

The act of a State in the exercise of its sovereignty in removing a non-national from its territory to his or her country of origin or third state after refusal of admission or termination of permission to remain. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 30

Derivative Citizenship

Answer 30

Citizenship conveyed to children through the naturalization of parents or, under certain circumstances, to foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizen parents, provided certain conditions are met. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 31

Detention

Answer 31

: Restriction on freedom of movement through confinement that is ordered by an administrative or judicial authority. There are two types of detention: criminal detention, having as a purpose punishment for the committed crime; and administrative detention, guaranteeing that another administrative measure (such as deportation or expulsion) can be implemented. In the majority of countries, irregular migrants are subject to administrative detention, as they have maintain links violated immigration laws and regulations that are not considered to be crimes. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 32

\*Diasporas

Answer 32

Diasporas are broadly defined as individuals and members or networks, associations and communities, who have left their country of origin, but with their homelands. This concept covers more settled expatriate communities, migrant workers based abroad temporarily, expatriates with the nationality of the host country, dual nationals, and second-/thirdgeneration migrants.

Question 33

Displacement

Answer 33

A forced removal of a person from his or her home or country, often due to armed conflict or natural disasters. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 34

Docket Control

Answer 34

The DHS mechanism for tracking the case status of potentially removable aliens. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 35

Domicile

Answer 35

The place at which a person is physically present and that the person regards as home; a person’s true, fixed, principal, and permanent home, to which that person intends to return and remain even though currently residing elsewhere.

Question 36

Duration of Status (D/S)

Answer 36

Notation on certain nonimmigrant Forms I-94 indicating that the individual, such as an F-1 nonimmigrant student, is authorized to remain in the United States as long as he or she maintains a valid status,.

Question 37

Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD):

Answer 37

A general term used to describe a card issued by USCIS on Form I-766 with the title “Employment Authorization Card” to aliens who are authorized to work in the United States in order to evidence their employment authorization. The card contains a photograph of the individual and sometimes his or her fingerprint. An alien who has been issued this card usually has open-market employment authorization, but there are exceptions. (Source: USCIS)

Question 38

E-Verify

Answer 38

An internet based system that compares information from an employee’s I-9 data to confirm employment authorization. (Source: http://www.uscis.gov/ )

Question 39

Exclusion

Answer 39

The formal denial of a non-national’s admission into a Nation/State. In some States, border officials or other authorities have the power to exclude non-nationals; in other States, exclusion is ordered by an immigration judge after a hearing. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 40

Expedited Removal

Answer 40

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 authorized the DHS to quickly remove certain inadmissible aliens from the United States. The authority covers aliens who are inadmissible because they have no entry documents or because they have used counterfeit, altered, or otherwise fraudulent or improper documents. The authority covers aliens who arrive in, attempt to enter, or have entered the United States without having been admitted or paroled by an immigration officer at a port-of-entry. The DHS has the authority to order the removal, and the alien is not referred to an immigration judge except under certain circumstances after an alien makes a claim to lawful status in the United States or demonstrates a credible fear of persecution if returned to his or her home country. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 41

Expulsion

Answer 41

An act by an authority of the State with the intention and with the effect of securing the removal of a person or persons (non-nationals or stateless persons) against his or her will from the territory of that State. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 42

F-1 Nonimmigrant Student

Answer 42

A student in F-1 nonimmigrant status (Academic Student) is an alien who has been admitted to the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. The student must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and the school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students. (Source: USCIS)

Question 43

Foreign Government Official

Answer 43

As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United States who has been accredited by a foreign government to function as an ambassador, public minister, career diplomatic or consular officer, other accredited official, or an attendant, servant or personal employee of an accredited official, and all above aliens' spouses and unmarried minor (or dependent) children. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 44

Foreign State of Chargeability

Answer 44

The independent country to which an immigrant entering under the preference system is accredited. No more than 7 percent of the family-sponsored and employment-based visas may be issued to natives of any one independent country in a fiscal year. No one dependency of any independent country may receive more than 2 percent of the family-sponsored and employment-based visas issued. Chargeability is usually determined by country of birth. Exceptions are made to prevent the separation of family members when the limitation for the country of birth has been met. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 45

\*Foreigner

Answer 45

A person belonging to, or owing an allegiance to, another State. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 46

Foreign migrant workers

Answer 46

Foreigners admitted by the receiving State for the specific purpose of exercising an economic activity remunerated from within the receiving country. Their length of stay is usually restricted as is the type of employment they can hold. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 47

Freedom of Movement

Answer 47

A human right comprising three basic elements: freedom of movement within the territory of a country (Art. 13(1), Universal Declaration of Human Rights,1948: “Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.”), the right to leave any country and the right to return to his or her own country (Art. 13(2), Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948: “Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.”). (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 48

Green Card

Answer 48

An identity card issued by the U.S. Government to non-nationals which grants permanent resident status in the United States. Also called a Permanent Resident Card, it is evidence of a non-national being a lawful permanent resident with a right to live and work permanently in the United States. A green card also allows the holder to travel abroad, gives the right to apply for U.S. citizenship, and the right to petition for a green card for the applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 49

Grounds of Inadmissibility

Answer 49

Definitions set forth in migration law or regulations, of reasons for which non-nationals may be prohibited from entering the State. Even where a person is otherwise eligible for a visa or other immigration status, if he or she falls within a ground of inadmissibility, the visa or other status will be denied. Typically persons without valid travel documents, persons with criminal convictions, persons who are believed to be a danger to public health or public safety, persons who have been previously deported. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 50

H-1B Beneficiary

Answer 50

1) the approved petition associated with a specialty worker admitted on the basis of professional education, skills, and/or equivalent experience (the H-1B subsection uses this definition); 2) a specialty worker whose petition to work temporarily in the United States has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 51

Habeus Corpus

Answer 51

An action before a court to test the legality of detention or imprisonment. In addition to being used to test the legality of an arrest or commitment, the writ may be used to obtain review of the regularity of an extradition process, the right to or amount of bail, or the jurisdiction of a court that has imposed a criminal sentence. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 52

Hemispheric Ceilings

Answer 52

Statutory limits on immigration to the United States in effect from 1968 to October 1978. Mandated by the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965, the ceiling on immigration from the Eastern Hemisphere was set at 170,000, with a per-country limit of 20,000. Immigration from the Western Hemisphere was held to 120,000, without a per-country limit until January 1, 1977. The Western Hemisphere was then made subject to a 20,000 per country limit. Effective October 1978, the separate hemisphere limits were abolished in favor of a worldwide limit. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 53

\*Human Rights

Answer 53

Those liberties and benefits based on human dignity which, by accepted contemporary values, all human beings should be able to claim “as of right” in the society in which they live.

Question 54

Humanitarian Assistance

Answer 54

Aid that addresses the needs of individuals affected by crises. It is primarily the responsibility of the State but also supported by international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

Question 55

Humanitarian Law

Answer 55

the law of armed conflict. The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977 are the main sources of international humanitarian law.

Question 56

\*Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Answer 56

This agency of the Department of Homeland Security handles enforcement of the immigration laws within the U.S. borders.

Question 57

Inadmissible

Answer 57

An alien seeking admission at a port of entry who does not meet the criteria in the INA for admission. The alien may be placed in removal proceedings or, under certain circumstances, allowed to withdraw his or her application for admission. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 58

INS

Answer 58

An abbreviation of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was abolished in 2003. Its functions are now performed by three agencies of the Department of Homeland Security– U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), ICE and CBP. (Source: USCIS)

Question 59

Integration

Answer 59

Refers to a two-way process of adaptation by migrants and host societies, while the particular requirements for acceptance by a host society vary from country to country. Integration does not necessarily imply permanent settlement. It does, however, imply consideration of the rights and obligations of migrants and host societies, of access to different kinds of services and the labour market, and of identification and respect for a core set of values that bind migrants and host communities in a common purpose. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 60

\*Internally Displaced Persons (IDP):

Answer 60

those who seek refuge within their country but who have fled the situation in their home area.

Question 61

Irregular Migrant

Answer 61

A person who, owing to unauthorized entry, or the expiry of his or her visa, lacks legal status in a transit or host country. The definition covers inter alia those persons who have entered a transit or host country lawfully but have stayed for a longer period than authorized or subsequently taken up unauthorized employment (also called clandestine/undocumented migrant or migrant in an irregular situation). The term “irregular” is preferable to “illegal” because the latter carries a criminal connotation and is seen as denying migrants’humanity. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 62

Jus cogens

Answer 62

A peremptory norm of general international law (jus cogens) is a norm accepted and recognized by the international community of States as a whole as a norm from which no derogation is permitted and which can be modified only by a subsequent norm of general international law having the same character.

Question 63

Jus sanginis

Answer 63

The rule that a child’s nationality is determined by its parents’ nationality, irrespective of the place of its birth.

Question 64

Jus soli

Answer 64

The rule that a child’s nationality is determined by its place of birth (although nationality can also be conveyed by the parents). (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 65

Laissez-passer

Answer 65

A travel document issued in exceptional circumstances by the consular officials of a country to nationals of a country of origin (for example in the case of loss or theft of their passport) or to strangers to whom the State has assured protection. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 66

Legalized Aliens

Answer 66

Certain illegal aliens who were eligible to apply for temporary resident status under the legalization provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. (IRCA). To be eligible, aliens must have continuously resided in the United States in an unlawful status since January 1, 1982, not be excludable, and have entered the United States either 1) illegally before January 1, 1982, or 2) as temporary visitors before January 1, 1982, with their authorized stay expiring before that date or with the Government's knowledge of their unlawful status before that date. Legalization consists of two stages-temporary and then permanent residency. In order to adjust to permanent status aliens must have had continuous residence in the United States, be admissible as an immigrant, and demonstrate at least a minimal understanding and knowledge of the English language and U.S. history and government. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 67

\*LPR

Answer 67

An abbreviation for lawful permanent resident (Source: USCIS)

Question 68

M-1 Nonimmigrant Student

Answer 68

An individual in M-1 nonimmigrant status (Vocational Student) is an alien who has been admitted to the United States to participate in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training. (Source: USCIS)

Question 69

\*Migrant

Answer 69

At the international level, no universally accepted definition for “migrant” exists. It is applied to persons, and family members, voluntarily moving to another country or region to better their material or social conditions and improve the prospect for themselves or their family

Question 70

National of the United States

Answer 70

A citizen of the United States or a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States (Source: USCIS)

Question 71

\*Naturalization

Answer 71

Granting by a State of its nationality to a nonnational through a formal act on the application of the individual concerned. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 72

\*Nomad

Answer 72

An individual, often a member of a group, who does not have a fixed place or residence and migrates from place to place, often searching for water, food, or grazing land.

Question 73

OSC— An abbreviation for the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, Department of Justice

Answer 73

Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices— A section within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice that enforces the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Source: USCIS)

Question 74

Parolee

Answer 74

A parolee is an alien, allowed into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or when that alien's entry is determined to be for significant public benefit. Parole does not constitute a formal admission to the United States and confers temporary status only, requiring parolees to leave when the conditions supporting their parole cease to exist.

Question 75

Humanitarian parole

Answer 75

authorized at DHS headquarters for "urgent humanitarian reasons" specified in the law. It is used in cases of medical emergency and comparable situations.

Question 76

Overseas parole

Answer 76

authorized at an DHS District or suboffice while the alien is still overseas; designed to constitute long-term admission to the United States. In recent years, most of the aliens the DHS has processed through overseas parole have arrived under special legislation or international migration agreements. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 77

\*Permanent Resident

Answer 77

A non-national benefitting from the right of permanent residence in a host State. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 78

Permanent Resident Alien

Answer 78

An alien admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Permanent residents are also commonly referred to as immigrants; (An illegal alien who entered the United States without inspection, for example, would be strictly defined as an immigrant under the INA but is not a permanent resident alien.) Lawful permanent residents are legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 79

\*Port of Entry

Answer 79

Any location in the United States or its territories that is designated as a point of entry for aliens and U.S. citizens. All district and files control offices are also considered ports, since they become locations of entry for aliens adjusting to immigrant status. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 80

Preference System (Immigration Act of 1990)

Answer 80

The nine categories since fiscal year 1992 among which the family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant preference visas are distributed. The family-sponsored preferences are: 1) unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; 2) spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens; 3) married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; 4) brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. The employment-based preferences are: 1) priority workers (persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers); 2) professionals with advanced degrees or aliens with exceptional ability; 3) skilled workers, professionals (without advanced degrees), and needed unskilled workers; 4) special immigrants; and 5) employment creation immigrants (investors). (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 81

\*Prosecutorial discretion

Answer 81

The legal authority to choose whether or not to take action against an individual for committing an offense. (Source: USCIS)

Question 82

Provisional waiver

Answer 82

Waiver for individuals who are otherwise inadmissible due to more than 180 days of unlawful presence in the United States, based on a showing of extreme hardship to certain U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members, which allows the individual to return after departure for an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. (Source: USCIS)

Question 83

\*Refugee

Answer 83

A person who, “owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinions, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country

Question 84

Repatriation

Answer 84

The personal right of a refugee, prisoner of war or a civil detainee to return to his or her country of nationality under specific conditions laid down in various international instruments (Geneva Conventions, 1949 and Protocols, 1977)

Question 85

\*Remittance

Answer 85

Monies earned or acquired by non-nationals that are transferred back to their country of origin. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 86

Remuneration

Answer 86

Anything of value given in exchange for labor or services, including food and lodging. (Source: USCIS)

Question 87

\*Resettlement

Answer 87

Permanent relocation of refugees in a place outside their country of origin to allow them to establish residence and become productive members of society there. Refugee resettlement is accomplished with the direct assistance of private voluntary agencies working with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 88

Safe Haven

Answer 88

Temporary refuge given to migrants who have fled their countries of origin to seek protection or relief from persecution or other hardships, until they can return to their countries safely or, if necessary until they can obtain permanent relief from the conditions they fled. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 89

SEVIS ID number

Answer 89

Unique identifier printed on each Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 in the top right corner, which consists of an alpha character (N) and up to 11 numbers (e.g., N0002123457). (Source: USCIS)

Question 90

\*Stateless persons

Answer 90

Persons who are not recognized as citizens of any State. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 91

Special Immigrants

Answer 91

Certain categories of immigrants who were exempt from numerical limitation before fiscal year 1992 and subject to limitation under the employment-based fourth preference beginning in 1992; persons who lost citizenship by marriage; persons who lost citizenship by serving in foreign armed forces; ministers of religion and other religious workers, their spouses and children; certain employees and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad, their spouses and children; Panama Canal Act immigrants; certain foreign medical school graduates, their spouses and children; certain retired employees of international organizations, their spouses and children; juvenile court dependents; and certain aliens serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouses and children. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 92

Special Naturalization Provisions

Answer 92

Provisions covering special classes of persons whom may be naturalized even though they do not meet all the general requirements for naturalization. Such special provisions allow: 1) wives or husbands of U.S. citizens to file for naturalization after three years of lawful permanent residence instead of the prescribed five years; 2) a surviving spouse of a U.S. citizen who served in the armed forces to file his or her naturalization application in any district instead of where he/she resides; and 3) children of U.S. citizen parents to be naturalized without meeting certain requirements or taking the oath, if too young to understand the meaning. Other classes of persons who may qualify for special consideration are former U.S. citizens, servicemen, seamen, and employees of organizations promoting U.S. interests abroad. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 93

Statelessness

Answer 93

Situation of individuals who possess the nationality of a State but, having left the State, enjoy no protection by it, either because they decline to claim such protection or because the State refuses to protect them. De facto statelessness is a term often connected with asylum seekers and recognized refugees. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 94

\*Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Answer 94

A legislative basis for allowing a group of persons temporary refuge in the United States. The Attorney General may designate nationals of a foreign state to be eligible for TPS with a finding that conditions in that country pose a danger to personal safety due to ongoing armed conflict or an environmental disaster, initially made for periods of 6 to 18 months and may be extended. Removal proceedings are suspended against aliens while they are in Temporary Protected Status. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Question 95

Temporary Worker

Answer 95

An alien coming to the United States to work for a temporary period of time. Nonimmigrant temporary worker classes of admission are as follows:

Question 96

\*Trafficking

Answer 96

When a migrant is illegally recruited, coerced and/or forcibly moved within national or across national borders. Traffickers are those who transport migrants and profit economically or otherwise from their relocation. (Source: International Organization for Migration)

Question 97

Transit Passengers

Answer 97

Persons who arrive by air or boat from one State in the airport or port of a second State with the sole objectof continuing their voyage to a third State. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)

Question 98

Transit Visa

Answer 98

A visa issued to a non-national passing through the country enroute to a third destination. A transit visa authorizes the holder to pass through the territory of the issuing State or to stay there for a very short time, usually 24 or 48 hours. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 99

\*Transnationalism

Answer 99

The process whereby people establish and maintain socio-cultural connections across geopolitical borders. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 100

Unaccompanied Children

Answer 100

Persons under the age of majority in a country other than that of their nationality who are not accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult who by law or custom is responsible for them. Unaccompanied children present special challenges for border control officials, because detention and other practices applied to undocumented adult non-nationals may not be appropriate for children. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 101

Undocumented Migrant

Answer 101

A non-national who enters or stays in a country without the appropriate documentation. Includes (a) who has no legal documentation to enter a country but manages to enter clandestinely, (b) who enters or stays using fraudulent documentation, (c) who, after entering using legal documentation, has stayed beyond the time authorized or otherwise violated the terms of entry and remained without authorization. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 102

Universal Jurisdiction

Answer 102

Principle stating that national courts can investigate and prosecute a person suspected of committing a crime anywhere in the world regardless of the nationality of the accused or the victim or the absence of any links to the state where the court is located. Universal jurisdiction is considered to be absolute. The Preamble of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, 1999, supports the application of universal jurisdiction: “it is the duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes.” (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 103

\*USCIS

Answer 103

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. (Source: http://www.uscis.gov/aboutus)

Question 104

\*VISA

Answer 104

An endorsement by the competent authorities of a State in a passport or a certificate of identity of a non-national who wishes to enter, leave, or transit the State that indicates that the authority, at the time of issuance, believes the holder to fall within a category of non-nationals who can enter, leave or transit the State under the State’s laws. A visa establishes the criteria of admission into a State. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 105

Visitor

Answer 105

a non-national authorized to stay temporarily on the territory of a State without participating in a professional activity. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 106

Voluntary Repatriation

Answer 106

Return of eligible persons to the country of origin on the basis of freely expressed willingness to so return. Most often used in the context of refugees, prisoners of war, and civil detainees. Also, one of the three durable solutions to address the plight of refugees. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 107

Voluntary Return

Answer 107

The assisted or independent return to the country of origin, transit or another third country based on the free will of the returnee. (Source: International Organization for Migration).

Question 108

\*Xenophobia

Answer 108

Attitudes, prejudices and behaviour that reject, exclude and often vilify persons, based on the perception that they are outsiders or foreigners to the community, society or national identity. Racism and xenophobia are two terms that can be hard to differentiate from each other. (Source: The International Organization for Migration)