Glossary

Terms you need to know

The U.S. government uses a lot of abbreviations (initials like USCIS), acronyms and legal terminology. Below is a list of commonly used terms you might need to know.

U.S. Government Abbreviations and Acronyms

DHS (Department of Homeland Security): This government agency focuses on protecting U.S. citizens, primarily by preventing and reducing terrorism. The USCIS is part of the DHS.

DOL (Department of Labor): The government agency looks after the rights and safety of workers.

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): This branch of the DHS investigates and enforces border security. Formerly the INS, it also oversees the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

INA (Immigration and Nationality Act): This contains all the laws governing immigration.

INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services): In 2003, this agency was replaced by other branches of the DHS, mainly USCIS.

IRS (Internal Revenue Service): This agency collects income tax.

USCIS ( U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): Formerly the INS, this government agency now works under the DHS and is responsible for admitting and monitoring the status of all immigrants to the United States .

Terms

  • Abandonment of residence: This is when a permanent resident of the United States makes their main home outside the U.S.
  • Deportation: Being forced to leave the country. Also known as “removal.”
  • Designated School Officer (DSO): The person appointed by your school who deals with student visa matters.
  • Diversity Immigrant Visa Program: Also called the Green Card Lottery, this program gives people from countries with low immigration rates a chance to become permanent residents of the U.S.
  • Fiancé / fiancée: the person you are going to marry
  • Good moral character: This means have not committed crimes and live a life according to U.S. law.
  • Green card: This identification card is given to all legal permanent residents. It allows you to work in the U.S. and re-enter the country without a visa if you leave.
  • Green card lottery: Same as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (see above).
  • Heterosexual marriage: A marriage between a man and a woman. This form of marriage is recognized by the U.S. government for immigration purposes.
  • Homosexual marriage : A marriage between same-sex partners (two men or two women). This form of marriage is not recognized for immigration purposes.
  • Immigrant: Also called a permanent resident or green card holder. This is any U.S. resident who isn't yet a citizen, but is living legally in the U.S.
  • Machine-readable passport: This is an encoded passport that can be read by scanners. They are highly standardized and meet strict international requirements. You need one if you are entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.
  • Media representative: A journalist or member of the foreign media traveling to the U.S. on assignment.
  • Non-immigrant: A non-U.S. citizen who is visiting the U.S. temporarily.
  • Native: A person born in any particular country. You are native to the country of your birth.
  • Naturalization: The process of becoming a U.S. citizen when you are a native of another country.
  • Passport: An official travel document issued by the government. It proves your identity and nationality for travel purposes.
  • Permanent resident: A non-U.S. citizen who is living in the U.S. legally. Also known as an immigrant or a green card holder.
  • Port of entry (POE): Any point where you enter the U.S. from another country. This can be an airport, seaport or land border.
  • Re-entry permit: A travel document that allows permanent residents who want to stay outside of the U.S. for more than one year to re-enter the country.
  • Returning resident visa : This visa allows permanent residents to return to the U.S. after being abroad for more than a year or after their re-entry permit has expired.
  • Sponsor: Also called a petitioner, this is the person who fills out and submits an immigration visa petition.
  • Spouse: The person you are married to. For immigration purposes, you must be legally married to a person of the opposite sex for this term to apply.
  • Ties: Any link or bond to your home country that might keep you from illegally immigrating to the U.S. Things like owning a home and having family are considered ties.
  • Visa: A stamp in your passport that allows you to enter the U.S. for a specific purpose. It is issued by an U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
  • Visa Waiver Program (VWP): A program that allows citizens of certain countries to enter the U.S. for travel without a visa.