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Glossary of Immigration Terms & Legal Terms
This is a glossary of legal & immigration related terms provided by Crossings Immigration Lawyers for convenience purposes only. Nothing in this glossary or on this site should be taken as legal advice. You should contact us directly for a free consultation with an immigration lawyer.
- 341 Meeting
- In a bankruptcy proceeding, a meeting of creditors at which the debtor is questioned
[ read more on 341 Meeting ] - 9 FAM
- The Foreign Affairs Manual
- Accompanying
- From travel.state.gov A type of visa in which family members travel with the principa
[ read more on Accompanying ] - Acquired Citizenship
- Citizenship conferred at birth on children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s).
- Acquittal
- A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge tha
[ read more on Acquittal ] - Active Judge
- A judge in the full-time service of the court. Compare to senior judge.
- Adjust Status
- From travel.state.gov 1) To change from a nonimmigrant visa status or other status 2)
[ read more on Adjust Status ] - Adjustment of Status
- Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States to apply for immigrant
[ read more on Adjustment of Status ] - Adjustment to Immigrant Status
- Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States to apply for immigrant
[ read more on Adjustment to Immigrant Status ] - Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO)
- The federal agency responsible for collecting court statistics, administering the fed
[ read more on Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) ] - Admissible
- A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil a
[ read more on Admissible ] - Admission
- From travel.state.gov Entry into the United States is authorized by a Department of H
[ read more on Admission ] - Adopted Child
- From travel.state.gov An unmarried child under age 21, who was adopted while under th
[ read more on Adopted Child ] - Advance Parole
- From travel.state.gov Permission to return to the United States after travel abroad g
[ read more on Advance Parole ] - Adversary Proceeding
- A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that begins by filing a complain
[ read more on Adversary Proceeding ] - Advisory Opinion
- From travel.state.gov An opinion regarding a point of law from the Office of Visa Ser
[ read more on Advisory Opinion ] - Affidavit
- A written or printed statement made under oath.
- Affidavit of Support
- From travel.state.gov A document promising that the person who completes it will supp
[ read more on Affidavit of Support ] - Affiliated
- d or controlled by the same owner or authority.
- Affirmed
- In the practice of the court of appeals, it means that the court of appeals has concl
[ read more on Affirmed ] - Agent
- From travel.state.gov In immigrant visa processing the applicant selects a person who
[ read more on Agent ] - Agricultural Worker
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United State
[ read more on Agricultural Worker ] - AILA
- The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)is a voluntary membership associat
[ read more on AILA ] - Alien
- From travel.state.gov A foreign national who is not a United States citizen. Any pers
[ read more on Alien ] - Alternate Juror
- A juror selected in the same manner as a regular juror who hears all the evidence but
[ read more on Alternate Juror ] - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- A procedure for settling a dispute outside the courtroom. Most forms of ADR are not b
[ read more on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) ] - Amerasian (Vietnam)
- Immigrant visas are issued to Amerasians under Public Law 100-202 (Act of 12/22/87),
[ read more on Amerasian (Vietnam) ] - Amerasian Act
- Public Law 97-359 (Act of 10/22/82) provides for the immigration to the United States
[ read more on Amerasian Act ] - American Immigration Lawyers Association
- The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)is a voluntary membership associat
[ read more on American Immigration Lawyers Association ] - Amicus Curiae
- Latin for "friend of the court." It is advice formally offered to the court
[ read more on Amicus Curiae ] - AOS
- From travel.state.gov Affidavit of Support, Form I-864. A document promising that the
[ read more on AOS ] - Appeal
- A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a hi
[ read more on Appeal ] - Appellant
- The party who appeals a district court's decision, usually seeking reversal of t
[ read more on Appellant ] - Appellate
- About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of a lower cou
[ read more on Appellate ] - Appellee
- The party who opposes an appellant's appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appea
[ read more on Appellee ] - Applicant (Visa)
- From travel.state.gov A foreign citizen who is applying for a nonimmigrant or immigra
[ read more on Applicant (Visa) ] - Application Support Center
- USCIS Offices fingerprint applicants for immigration benefits. Some USCIS application
[ read more on Application Support Center ] - Appointment Package
- From travel.state.gov The letter and documents that tell an applicant of the date of
[ read more on Appointment Package ] - Apprehension
- The arrest of a removable alien by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ea
[ read more on Apprehension ] - Approval Notice
- From travel.state.gov A Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship an
[ read more on Approval Notice ] - Arraignment
- A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges
[ read more on Arraignment ] - Arrival-Departure Card
- From travel.state.gov Also known as Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. The Departme
[ read more on Arrival-Departure Card ] - Article III Judge
- A federal judge who is appointed for life, during "good behavior," under Ar
[ read more on Article III Judge ] - Asset
- Property of all kinds, including real and personal, tangible and intangible.
- Asylee
- An alien in the United States or at a port of entry who is found to be unable or unwi
[ read more on Asylee ] - Asylum-Only Hearing
- An asylum-only hearing applies to an individual who is denied a removal hearing under
[ read more on Asylum-Only Hearing ] - Attorney
- A attorney in the United States is an individual licensed or otherwise authorized by
[ read more on Attorney ] - Attorney General
- The official of the executive branch appointed by the President to head the Justice D
[ read more on Attorney General ] - Automatic Stay
- An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosure, garnishments, and most
[ read more on Automatic Stay ] - Bail
- The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditio
[ read more on Bail ] - Bankruptcy
- A legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses; speci
[ read more on Bankruptcy ] - Bankruptcy Administrator
- An officer of the Judiciary serving in the judicial districts of Alabama and North Ca
[ read more on Bankruptcy Administrator ] - Bankruptcy Code
- The informal name for title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 101-
[ read more on Bankruptcy Code ] - Bankruptcy Court
- The bankruptcy judges in regular active service in each district; a unit of the distr
[ read more on Bankruptcy Court ] - Bankruptcy Estate
- All interests of the debtor in property at the time of the bankruptcy filing. The est
[ read more on Bankruptcy Estate ] - Bankruptcy Judge
- A judicial officer of the United States district court who is the court official with
[ read more on Bankruptcy Judge ] - Bankruptcy Petition
- A formal request for the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws. (There is an offi
[ read more on Bankruptcy Petition ] - Bankruptcy Trustee
- A private individual or corporation appointed in all Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases t
[ read more on Bankruptcy Trustee ] - Bar Association
- A Bar Association is a professional body or group of lawyers. Some bar associations a
[ read more on Bar Association ] - Bench Trial
- A trial without a jury, in which the judge serves as the fact-finder.
- Beneficiaries
- Aliens on whose behalf a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or employer have fil
[ read more on Beneficiaries ] - Beneficiary
- From travel.state.gov An applicant for a visa as named in a petition from the Departm
[ read more on Beneficiary ] - BIA
- The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative body for interpr
[ read more on BIA ] - Biometrics
- From travel.state.gov Biologically unique information used to identify individuals. T
[ read more on Biometrics ] - Board of Immigration Appeals
- The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative body for interpr
[ read more on Board of Immigration Appeals ] - Bond Redetermination Hearing
- An Immigration Judge conducts a recission hearing to determine whether a lawful perma
[ read more on Bond Redetermination Hearing ] - Border Crosser
- An alien resident of the United States reentering the country after an absence of les
[ read more on Border Crosser ] - Brief
- A written statement submitted in a trial or appellate proceeding that explains one si
[ read more on Brief ] - Burden of Proof
- The duty to prove disputed facts. In civil cases, a plaintiff generally has the burde
[ read more on Burden of Proof ] - Business Bankruptcy
- A bankruptcy case in which the debtor is a business or an individual involved in busi
[ read more on Business Bankruptcy ] - Business Nonimmigrant
- An alien coming temporarily to the United States to engage in commercial transactions
[ read more on Business Nonimmigrant ] - Cancellation of Removal
- A discretionary benefit adjusting an alien's status from that of deportable alie
[ read more on Cancellation of Removal ] - Cancelled Without Prejudice
- From travel.state.gov A stamp an embassy or consulate puts on a visa when there is a
[ read more on Cancelled Without Prejudice ] - Capital Offense
- A crime punishable by death.
- Case File
- A complete collection of every document filed in court in a case.
- Case Law
- The United States is a "Common Law" country, which means that prior rulings by the co
[ read more on Case Law ] - Case Number
- From travel.state.gov The National Visa Center (NVC) gives each immigrant petition a
[ read more on Case Number ] - Caseload
- The number of cases handled by a judge or a court.
- Cause of Action
- A legal claim.
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Identity document proving U.S. citizenship. Certificates of citizenship are issued to
[ read more on Certificate of Citizenship ] - Certificate of Naturalization
- From travel.state.gov A document issued by the Department of Homeland Security as pro
[ read more on Certificate of Naturalization ] - Chambers
- The offices of a judge and his or her staff.
- Change Status
- From travel.state.gov Changing from one nonimmigrant visa status to another nonimmigr
[ read more on Change Status ] - Charge/Chargeable
- From travel.state.gov There are numerical limits on the number of immigrant visas tha
[ read more on Charge/Chargeable ] - Chief Judge
- The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court; chief jud
[ read more on Chief Judge ] - Child
- Generally, an unmarried person under 21 years of age who is: a child born in wedlock;
[ read more on Child ] - Civil Surgeon
- A medically trained, licensed and experienced doctor practicing in the U.S. who is ce
[ read more on Civil Surgeon ] - Claim
- A creditor's assertion of a right to payment from a debtor or the debtor's
[ read more on Claim ] - Claimed Status Review
- If an alien in expedited removal claims under oath to be a U.S. citizen, to have been
[ read more on Claimed Status Review ] - Class Action
- A lawsuit in which one or more members of a large group, or class, of individuals or
[ read more on Class Action ] - Clerk of Court
- The court officer who oversees administrative functions, especially managing the flow
[ read more on Clerk of Court ] - Cohabit
- From travel.state.gov To live together without a legal marriage ceremony.
- Collateral
- Property that is promised as security for the satisfaction of a debt.
- Common Law
- The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States th
[ read more on Common Law ] - Common-Law Marriage
- From travel.state.gov An agreement between a man and woman to enter into marriage wit
[ read more on Common-Law Marriage ] - Community Service
- special condition the court imposes that requires an individual to work–without
[ read more on Community Service ] - Complaint
- A written statement that begins a civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff details the c
[ read more on Complaint ] - Concurrent Sentence
- Prison terms for two or more offenses to be served at the same time, rather than one
[ read more on Concurrent Sentence ] - Conditional Residence Visa
- From travel.state.gov If you have been married for less than two years when your husb
[ read more on Conditional Residence Visa ] - Conditional Resident
- Any alien granted permanent resident status on a conditional basis (e.g., a spouse of
[ read more on Conditional Resident ] - Confirmation
- Approval of a plan of reorganization by a bankruptcy judge.
- Consecutive Sentence
- Prison terms for two or more offenses to be served one after the other. Example: Two
[ read more on Consecutive Sentence ] - Consumer Bankruptcy
- A bankruptcy case filed to reduce or eliminate debts that are primarily consumer debts.
- Consumer Debt
- Debts incurred for personal, as opposed to business, needs.
- Contingent Claim
- A claim that may be owed by the debtor under certain circumstances, e.g., where the d
[ read more on Contingent Claim ] - Contract
- An agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do or not to d
[ read more on Contract ] - Conviction
- A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Counsel
- As a verb, it is any legal advice; as a noun it refers to the lawyers in a case.
- Count
- An allegation in an indictment or information, charging a defendant with a crime. An
[ read more on Count ] - Country of Birth
- The country in which a person is born.
- Country of Chargeability
- The independent country to which an immigrant entering under the preference system is
[ read more on Country of Chargeability ] - Country of Citizenship
- The country in which a person is born (and has not renounced or lost citizenship) or
[ read more on Country of Citizenship ] - Country of Former Allegiance
- The previous country of citizenship of a naturalized U.S. citizen or of a person who
[ read more on Country of Former Allegiance ] - Country of Nationality
- The country of a person's citizenship or country in which the person is deemed a
[ read more on Country of Nationality ] - Country of Residence
- The country in which a person habitually resides.
- Court
- Government entity authorized to resolve legal disputes. Judges sometimes use "court"
[ read more on Court ] - Court Reporter
- A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court, generally by usin
[ read more on Court Reporter ] - Credible Fear Review
- If an alien seeks to enter the United States without documents, or with fraudulent do
[ read more on Credible Fear Review ] - Creditor
- A person to whom or business to which the debtor owes money or that claims to be owed
[ read more on Creditor ] - Crewman
- A foreign national serving in a capacity required for normal operations and service o
[ read more on Crewman ] - Cuban or Haitian Entrant
- Status accorded 1) Cubans who entered illegally or were paroled into the United State
[ read more on Cuban or Haitian Entrant ] - Current/non-current
- There are numerical limits on the number of immigrant visas that can be granted to al
[ read more on Current/non-current ] - Cut-off Date
- From travel.state.gov The date that determines whether a preference immigrant visa ap
[ read more on Cut-off Date ] - Damages
- Money that a defendant pays a plaintiff in a civil case if the plaintiff has won. Dam
[ read more on Damages ] - De Facto
- Latin, meaning "in fact" or "actually." Something that exists in
[ read more on De Facto ] - De Jure
- Latin, meaning "in law." Something that exists by operation of law.
- De Novo
- Latin, meaning "anew." A trial de novo is a completely new trial. Appellate
[ read more on De Novo ] - Debtor
- A person who has filed a petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code. defendant An
[ read more on Debtor ] - Debtor's Plan
- A debtor's detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors'
[ read more on Debtor's Plan ] - Declaratory Judgment
- A judge's statement about someone's rights. For example, a plaintiff may se
[ read more on Declaratory Judgment ] - Default Judgment
- A judgment awarding a plaintiff the relief sought in the complaint because the defend
[ read more on Default Judgment ] - Defendant
- In a civil case, the person or organization against whom the plaintiff brings suit; i
[ read more on Defendant ] - Deferred Inspection
- A parolee is an alien, appearing to be inadmissible to the inspecting officer, allowe
[ read more on Deferred Inspection ] - Denomination/Sect
- From travel.state.gov A religious group or community.
- Department of Homeland Security
- The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From travel.state.gov DHS is
[ read more on Department of Homeland Security ] - Department of Labor
- From travel.state.gov A cabinet level unit/ministry of United States Government that
[ read more on Department of Labor ] - Department of State
- The United States Department of State (DOS)
- Deportable Alien
- An alien in and admitted to the United States subject to any grounds of removal speci
[ read more on Deportable Alien ] - Deportation
- The formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found r
[ read more on Deportation ] - Deposition
- An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such
[ read more on Deposition ] - Derivative Citizenship
- Citizenship conveyed to children through the naturalization of parents or, under cert
[ read more on Derivative Citizenship ] - Derivative Status
- From travel.state.gov Getting a status (visa) through another applicant, as provided
[ read more on Derivative Status ] - DHS
- The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- Discharge
- A release of a debtor from personal liability for certain dischargeable debts. Notabl
[ read more on Discharge ] - Dischargeable Debt
- A debt for which the Bankruptcy Code allows the debtor's personal liability to b
[ read more on Dischargeable Debt ] - Disclosure Statement
- A written document prepared by the chapter 11 debtor or other plan proponent that is
[ read more on Disclosure Statement ] - Discovery
- Procedures used to obtain disclosure of evidence before trial.
- Dismissal with Prejudice
- Court action that prevents an identical lawsuit from being filed later.
- Dismissal without Prejudice
- Court action that allows the later filing.
- Disposable Income
- Income not reasonably necessary for the maintenance or support of the debtor or depen
[ read more on Disposable Income ] - District
- Geographic areas into which the United States and its territories are divided for the
[ read more on District ] - Diversity
- A category of immigrants replacing the earlier categories for nationals of underrepre
[ read more on Diversity ] - Diversity Visa Program
- The Department of State has an annual lottery for immigration to the United States. U
[ read more on Diversity Visa Program ] - Docket
- A log containing the complete history of each case in the form of brief chronological
[ read more on Docket ] - Docket Control
- The DHS mechanism for tracking the case status of potentially removable aliens.
- Documentarily Qualified
- From travel.state.gov Refers to an immigrant visa applicant who has: 1) returned Form
[ read more on Documentarily Qualified ] - DOL
- From travel.state.gov Department of Labor. Hiring foreign workers for employment in t
[ read more on DOL ] - Domicile
- From travel.state.gov Place where a person has his or her principal residence. The pe
[ read more on Domicile ] - DOS
- The United States Department of State (DOS)
- Due Process
- In criminal law, the constitutional guarantee that a defendant will receive a fair an
[ read more on Due Process ] - Duration of Status
- From travel.state.gov In certain visa categories such as diplomats, students and exch
[ read more on Duration of Status ] - DV
- From travel.state.gov See Diversity Visa.
- Employer Sanction
- The employer sanctions provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 pr
[ read more on Employer Sanction ] - En Banc
- French, meaning "on the bench." All judges of an appellate court sitting to
[ read more on En Banc ] - Equitable
- Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history,
[ read more on Equitable ] - Equity
- The value of a debtor's interest in property that remains after liens and other
[ read more on Equity ] - Evidence
- Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact
[ read more on Evidence ] - Ex Parte
- A proceeding brought before a court by one party only, without notice to or challenge
[ read more on Ex Parte ] - Exchange Visitor
- An alien coming temporarily to the United States as a participant in a program approv
[ read more on Exchange Visitor ] - Exclusion
- Prior to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, exc
[ read more on Exclusion ] - Exclusionary Rule
- Doctrine that says evidence obtained in violation of a criminal defendant's cons
[ read more on Exclusionary Rule ] - Exculpatory Evidence
- Evidence indicating that a defendant did not commit the crime.
- Executive Order
- An mandate or decree by the President of the United States or a Governor or a State o
[ read more on Executive Order ] - Executory Contract
- Contracts or leases under which both parties to the agreement have duties remaining t
[ read more on Executory Contract ] - Exempt Asset
- Property that a debtor is allowed to retain, free from the claims of creditors who do
[ read more on Exempt Asset ] - Exempt from Numerical Limit
- Those aliens accorded lawful permanent residence who are exempt from the provisions o
[ read more on Exempt from Numerical Limit ] - Exempt Property
- Certain property owned by an individual debtor that the Bankruptcy Code or applicable
[ read more on Exempt Property ] - Face Sheet Filing
- A bankruptcy case filed either without schedules or with incomplete schedules listing
[ read more on Face Sheet Filing ] - Family Farmer
- An individual, individual and spouse, corporation, or partnership engaged in a farmin
[ read more on Family Farmer ] - Family First Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F1) for unmarried sons and da
[ read more on Family First Preference ] - Family Fourth Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F4) for brothers and sisters
[ read more on Family Fourth Preference ] - Family Second Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F2) for spouses, children and
[ read more on Family Second Preference ] - Family Third Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F3) for married sons and daug
[ read more on Family Third Preference ] - Federal Dublic Defender
- An attorney employed by the federal courts on a full-time basis to provide legal defe
[ read more on Federal Dublic Defender ] - Federal Law
- Federal Poverty Guidelines
- From travel.state.gov See Poverty Guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Serv
[ read more on Federal Poverty Guidelines ] - Federal Public Defender Organization
- As provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, an organization established within a fed
[ read more on Federal Public Defender Organization ] - Federal Question Jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and applic
[ read more on Federal Question Jurisdiction ] - Felony
- A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.
- Fiance(e)s of U.S. Citizen
- A nonimmigrant alien coming to the United States to conclude a valid marriage with a
[ read more on Fiance(e)s of U.S. Citizen ] - Field Office
- Offices found in some Districts that serve a portion of the District's jurisdict
[ read more on Field Office ] - Files Control Office
- An USCIS field office--either a district (including USCIS overseas offices) or a subo
[ read more on Files Control Office ] - First Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F1) for unmarried sons and da
[ read more on First Preference ] - Fiscal Year
- Currently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Histo
[ read more on Fiscal Year ] - Following to Join
- From travel.state.gov A type of derivative visa status when the family member gets a
[ read more on Following to Join ] - Foreign Affairs Manual
- From travel.state.gov Foreign Affairs Manual Chapter 41 relates to nonimmigrant visas
[ read more on Foreign Affairs Manual ] - Foreign Government Official
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United State
[ read more on Foreign Government Official ] - Foreign Information Media Representative
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United State
[ read more on Foreign Information Media Representative ] - Foreign State of Chargeability
- The independent country to which an immigrant entering under the preference system is
[ read more on Foreign State of Chargeability ] - Fourth Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F4) for brothers and sisters
[ read more on Fourth Preference ] - Fraudulent Transfer
- A transfer of a debtor's property made with intent to defraud or for which the d
[ read more on Fraudulent Transfer ] - Fresh Start
- The characterization of a debtor's status after bankruptcy, i.e., free of most d
[ read more on Fresh Start ] - Full and Final Adoption
- From travel.state.gov A legal adoption in which the child receives all the rights of
[ read more on Full and Final Adoption ] - General Naturalization Provision
- The basic requirements for naturalization that every applicant must meet, unless a me
[ read more on General Naturalization Provision ] - Geographic Area of Chargeability
- Any one of five regions--Africa, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Near Eas
[ read more on Geographic Area of Chargeability ] - Good Standing
- The term "in good standing", when referring to legal professionally means that the pe
[ read more on Good Standing ] - Grand Jury
- A body of 16-23 citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which is pre
[ read more on Grand Jury ] - Green card
- From travel.state.gov A wallet-sized card showing that the person is a lawful permane
[ read more on Green card ] - Green Card Holder
- A Lawful Permanent Resident.
- Habeas Corpus
- Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a
[ read more on Habeas Corpus ] - Hearsay
- Evidence presented by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but
[ read more on Hearsay ] - Hemispheric Ceiling
- Statutory limits on immigration to the United States in effect from 1968 to October 1
[ read more on Hemispheric Ceiling ] - Home Confinement
- A special condition the court imposes that requires an individual to remain at home e
[ read more on Home Confinement ] - Homeless
- From travel.state.gov Persons from countries that do not have an American Embassy or
[ read more on Homeless ] - Household Income
- From travel.state.gov The income used to determine whether a sponsor meets the min
[ read more on Household Income ] - I-551 (Green Card)
- From travel.state.gov Permanent residence card or alien registration receipt card or
[ read more on I-551 (Green Card) ] - Immediate Relative
- Certain immigrants who because of their close relationship to U.S. citizens are exemp
[ read more on Immediate Relative ] - Immigrant
- Permanent Resident Alien
- Immigrant visa
- From travel.state.gov A visa for a person who plans to live indefinitely and permanen
[ read more on Immigrant visa ] - Immigration Act of 1990
- Public Law 101-649 (Act of November 29, 1990), which increased the limits on legal im
[ read more on Immigration Act of 1990 ] - Immigration and Nationality Act
- The Act (INA), which, along with other immigration laws, treaties, and conventions of
[ read more on Immigration and Nationality Act ] - Immigration and Naturalization Service
- From travel.state.gov A branch of the Department of Justice that formerly existed and
[ read more on Immigration and Naturalization Service ] - Immigration Attorney
- Any Attorney in good standing who gives advice on immigration matters. Although it is
[ read more on Immigration Attorney ] - Immigration Issue
- Immigration Judge
- An attorney appointed by the Attorney General to act as an administrative judge withi
[ read more on Immigration Judge ] - Immigration Law
- All laws (statutes, ordinances, executive orders, mandates) of a particular country w
[ read more on Immigration Law ] - Immigration Lawyer
- Any lawyer in good standing who gives advice on Immigration Matters. Although it is n
[ read more on Immigration Lawyer ] - Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986
- Public Law 99-639 (Act of 11/10/86), which was passed in order to deter immigration-r
[ read more on Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 ] - Immigration Matter
- Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
- Public Law 99-603 (Act of 11/6/86), which was passed in order to control and deter il
[ read more on Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 ] - Impeachment
- The process of calling a witness's testimony into doubt. For example, if the att
[ read more on Impeachment ] - In Absentia Hearing
- If an alien does not appear for a scheduled hearing, he or she may be ordered removed
[ read more on In Absentia Hearing ] - In Camera
- Latin, meaning in a judge's chambers. Often means outside the presence of a jury
[ read more on In Camera ] - In Forma Pauperis
- "In the manner of a pauper." Permission given by the court to a person to file a case
[ read more on In Forma Pauperis ] - In status
- From travel.state.gov Itâs important to understand the concept of immigration st
[ read more on In status ] - INA
- The Immigration and Nationality Act
- Inadmissable
- An alien seeking admission at a port of entry who does not meet the criteria in the I
[ read more on Inadmissable ] - Inculpatory Evidence
- Evidence indicating that a defendant did commit the crime.
- Indictment
- The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that t
[ read more on Indictment ] - Industrial Trainee
- Temporary Worker
- Ineligible/Ineligibility
- From travel.state.gov Immigration law says that certain conditions and actions preven
[ read more on Ineligible/Ineligibility ] - Injunction
- A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action. A prelimi
[ read more on Injunction ] - International Representative
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United State
[ read more on International Representative ] - Interrogatories
- A form of discovery consisting of written questions to be answered in writing and und
[ read more on Interrogatories ] - Intracompany Trainee
- An alien, employed for at least one continuous year out of the last three by an inter
[ read more on Intracompany Trainee ] - IRCA
- Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
- Issue
- 1. The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; 2. To send out officially, as in
[ read more on Issue ] - IV
- From travel.state.gov Immigrant Visa
- Joint Administration
- A court-approved mechanism under which two or more cases can be administered together
[ read more on Joint Administration ] - Joint Petition
- One bankruptcy petition filed by a husband and wife together.
- Joint Sponsor
- From travel.state.gov A person who accepts legal responsibility for supporting an imm
[ read more on Joint Sponsor ] - Judge
- An official of the judicial branch with authority to decide lawsuits brought before c
[ read more on Judge ] - Judgeship
- The position of judge. By statute, Congress authorizes the number of judgeships for e
[ read more on Judgeship ] - Judgment
- The official decision of a court finally resolving the dispute between the parties to
[ read more on Judgment ] - Judicial Conference of the United States
- The policy-making entity for the federal court system. A 27-judge body whose presidin
[ read more on Judicial Conference of the United States ] - Jurisdiction
- The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a certain type of case. It also is
[ read more on Jurisdiction ] - Jurisprudence
- The study of law and the structure of the legal system.
- Jury
- The group of persons selected to hear the evidence in a trial and render a verdict on
[ read more on Jury ] - Jury Instruction
- A judge's directions to the jury before it begins deliberations regarding the fa
[ read more on Jury Instruction ] - Kentucky Consular Center (KCC)
- From travel.state.gov A U.S. Department of State facility located in Williamsburg, Ke
[ read more on Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) ] - Labor Certification
- Requirement for U.S. employers seeking to employ certain persons whose immigration to
[ read more on Labor Certification ] - Labor Condition Application (LCA)
- From travel.state.gov A request to the Department of Labor for a foreign worker
[ read more on Labor Condition Application (LCA) ] - Law Firm
- A law firm is a group of one or more lawyers working together to serve clients. Often
[ read more on Law Firm ] - Lawful Permanent Resident
- Any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing the in the U.S. under l
[ read more on Lawful Permanent Resident ] - Lawful Permanent Resident Alien (LPRA)
- From travel.state.gov Lawful permanent resident.
- Lawsuit
- A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that t
[ read more on Lawsuit ] - Lawyer
- A lawyer in the United States is an individual licensed or otherwise authorized by on
[ read more on Lawyer ] - Lay Worker
- From travel.state.gov A person who works in a religious organization but is not a mem
[ read more on Lay Worker ] - LEA
- From travel.state.gov See local educational agency.
- Legal Advice
- Any advice which purports to explain any law or legal process or which offers any leg
[ read more on Legal Advice ] - Legal Parolee
- Parolee
- Legalization Dependent
- A maximum of 55,000 visas were issued to spouses and children of aliens legalized und
[ read more on Legalization Dependent ] - Legalized Alien
- Certain illegal aliens who were eligible to apply for temporary resident status under
[ read more on Legalized Alien ] - Legitimation
- From travel.state.gov The legal process which a natural father can use to acknowledge
[ read more on Legitimation ] - Legitmated
- Most countries have legal procedures for natural fathers of children born out of wedl
[ read more on Legitmated ] - Lien
- A charge on specific property that is designed to secure payment of a debt or perform
[ read more on Lien ] - LIFE Act
- From travel.state.gov Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act and amendments. This
[ read more on LIFE Act ] - Liquidated claim
- A creditor's claim for a fixed amount of money.
- Liquidation
- A sale of a debtor's property with the proceeds to be used for the benefit of cr
[ read more on Liquidation ] - Litigation
- A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits
[ read more on Litigation ] - Local Educational Agency
- From travel.state.gov School or school district. Also called LEA. This term is used f
[ read more on Local Educational Agency ] - Lose Status
- From travel.state.gov To stay in the United States longer than the period of time whi
[ read more on Lose Status ] - Lottery
- From travel.state.gov See diversity visa program.
- LPR
- Any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing the in the U.S. under l
[ read more on LPR ] - Machine Readable Passport (MRP)
- From travel.state.gov A passport which has biographic information entered on the data
[ read more on Machine Readable Passport (MRP) ] - Machine Readable Visa (MRV)
- From travel.state.gov A visa that contains biometric information about the passport h
[ read more on Machine Readable Visa (MRV) ] - Magistrate Judge
- A judicial officer of a district court who conducts initial proceedings in criminal c
[ read more on Magistrate Judge ] - Maintain status
- From travel.state.gov To follow the requirements of the visa status and comply with a
[ read more on Maintain status ] - Means-tested Public Benefits
- From travel.state.gov Assistance from a government unit. Benefits include food stamps
[ read more on Means-tested Public Benefits ] - Medical Parolee
- Parolee
- Medical Waiver
- A medical waiver permits an immigration applicant to be allowed into, or remain in th
[ read more on Medical Waiver ] - Mental Health Treatment
- Special condition the court imposes to require an individual to undergo evaluation an
[ read more on Mental Health Treatment ] - Migrant
- A person who leaves his/her country of origin to seek residence in another country.
- Misdemeanor
- In the Federal Criminal Justice System, it is an offense punishable by one year of im
[ read more on Misdemeanor ] - Missionary Work
- From travel.state.gov Work performed for a religious organization to spread the faith
[ read more on Missionary Work ] - Mistrial
- An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial
[ read more on Mistrial ] - Moot
- Not subject to a court ruling because the controversy has not actually arisen, or has
[ read more on Moot ] - Motion
- A request by a litigant to a judge for a decision on an issue relating to the case.
- Motion in Limine
- A pretrial motion requesting the court to prohibit the other side from presenting, or
[ read more on Motion in Limine ] - Motion to Lift the Automatic Stay
- A request by a creditor to allow the creditor to take action against the debtor or th
[ read more on Motion to Lift the Automatic Stay ] - NACARA
- Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act
- NAFTA
- From travel.state.gov The North American Free Trade Agreement
- National
- A person owing permanent allegiance to a state.
- National Interest Waiver
- From travel.state.gov This is for physicians and doctors who work in an area without
[ read more on National Interest Waiver ] - National Visa Center (NVC)
- From travel.state.gov A Department of State facility located in Portsmouth, New Hamps
[ read more on National Visa Center (NVC) ] - Native
- From travel.state.gov A person born in a particular country is a native of that country.
- Natives of Underrepresented Countries
- The Immigration Amendments of 1988, Public Law 101-658 (Act of 11/5/88) allowed for 1
[ read more on Natives of Underrepresented Countries ] - NATO Official
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United State
[ read more on NATO Official ] - Naturalization
- The conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth. From travel.s
[ read more on Naturalization ] - Naturalization Application
- The form used by a lawful permanent resident to apply for U.S. citizenship. The appli
[ read more on Naturalization Application ] - Nolo Contendere
- No contest. A plea of nolo contendere has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far
[ read more on Nolo Contendere ] - Nondischargeable Debt
- A debt that cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy. Examples include a home mortgage, deb
[ read more on Nondischargeable Debt ] - Nonexempt Asset
- Property of a debtor that can be liquidated to satisfy claims of creditors.
- Nonimmigrant
- An alien who seeks temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose. The a
[ read more on Nonimmigrant ] - Nonimmigrant Visa
- From travel.state.gov  A U.S. visa allows the bearer, a foreign citizen, to apply
[ read more on Nonimmigrant Visa ] - Nonpreference Category
- Nonpreference visas were available to qualified applicants not entitled to a visa und
[ read more on Nonpreference Category ] - North American Free Trade Agreement
- Public Law 103-182 (Act of 12/8/93), superseded the United States-Canada Free-Trade A
[ read more on North American Free Trade Agreement ] - Notice of Action
- From travel.state.gov A Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship an
[ read more on Notice of Action ] - Nursing Relief Act of 1989
- Public Law 101-238 (Act of 12/18/89), provides for the adjustment to permanent reside
[ read more on Nursing Relief Act of 1989 ] - NVC
- From travel.state.gov See National Visa Center.
- Occupation
- For an alien entering the United States or adjusting without a labor certification, o
[ read more on Occupation ] - Opinion
- A judge's written explanation of the decision of the court. Because a case may b
[ read more on Opinion ] - Oral Argument
- An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to a
[ read more on Oral Argument ] - Orphan
- The Immigration and Nationality Act provides a definition of an orphan for the purpos
[ read more on Orphan ] - Orphan Petition
- From travel.state.gov  Form I-600
- Out of Status
- From travel.state.gov A U.S. visa allows the bearer to apply for entry to the U.S. in
[ read more on Out of Status ] - Out of Wedlock
- A child born of parents who were not legally married to each other at that time. Note
[ read more on Out of Wedlock ] - Panama Canal Act Immigrant
- Three categories of special immigrants established by Public Law 96-70 (Act of 9/27/7
[ read more on Panama Canal Act Immigrant ] - Panel
- 1. In appellate cases, a group of judges (usually three) assigned to decide the case;
[ read more on Panel ] - Panel Physician
- A medically trained, licensed and experienced doctor practicing overseas who is appoi
[ read more on Panel Physician ] - Paralegal
- A person who is not a lawyer but who has some relevant legal training and works under
[ read more on Paralegal ] - Parole
- The release of a prison inmate–granted by the U.S. Parole Commission–afte
[ read more on Parole ] - Parolee
- A parolee is an alien, appearing to be inadmissible to the inspecting officer, allowe
[ read more on Parolee ] - Per Country Limit
- The maximum number of family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas that can
[ read more on Per Country Limit ] - Per Curiam
- Latin, meaning "for the court." In appellate courts, often refers to an uns
[ read more on Per Curiam ] - Peremptory Challenge
- A district court may grant each side in a civil or criminal trial the right to exclud
[ read more on Peremptory Challenge ] - Permanent Resident
- Any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legal
[ read more on Permanent Resident ] - Permanent Resident Alien
- An alien admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Permanent resi
[ read more on Permanent Resident Alien ] - Petit Jury or Trial Jury
- A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determ
[ read more on Petit Jury or Trial Jury ] - Petition
- The document that initiates the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding, setting forth basi
[ read more on Petition ] - Petty Offense
- A federal misdemeanor punishable by six months or less in prison.
- Physical Presence
- From travel.state.gov The place where a person is actually, physically located.
- Plaintiff
- A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.
- Plan
- A debtor's detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors'
[ read more on Plan ] - Plea
- In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty"
[ read more on Plea ] - Pleading
- Written statements filed with the court which describe a party's legal or factua
[ read more on Pleading ] - Polygamy
- From travel.state.gov Having more than one husband or wife at the same time. Polygamy
[ read more on Polygamy ] - Port of Entry
- Any location in the United States or its territories that is designated as a point of
[ read more on Port of Entry ] - Post
- From travel.state.gov American Embassy, consulate or other diplomatic mission abroad.
[ read more on Post ] - Postpetition Transfer
- A transfer of the debtor's property made after the commencement of the case.
- Poverty Guidelines
- From travel.state.gov The Department of Health and Human Services publishes a list ev
[ read more on Poverty Guidelines ] - Pre-inspection
- Complete immigration inspection of airport passengers before departure from a foreign
[ read more on Pre-inspection ] - Prebankruptcy Planning
- The arrangement (or rearrangement) of a debtor's property to allow the debtor to
[ read more on Prebankruptcy Planning ] - Precedent
- A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute
[ read more on Precedent ] - Preference Immigration
- From travel.state.gov A system for determining which and when people can immigrate to
[ read more on Preference Immigration ] - Preference System
- After 1992: Immigration Act of 1990 The nine categories since fiscal year 1992 among
[ read more on Preference System ] - Preferential Debt Payment
- A debt payment made to a creditor in the 90-day period before a debtor files bankrupt
[ read more on Preferential Debt Payment ] - Presentence Report
- A report prepared by a court's probation officer, after a person has been convic
[ read more on Presentence Report ] - Pretrial Conference
- A meeting of the judge and lawyers to plan the trial, to discuss which matters should
[ read more on Pretrial Conference ] - Pretrial Service
- A function of the federal courts that takes place at the very start of the criminal j
[ read more on Pretrial Service ] - Principal Alien
- The alien who applies for immigrant status and from whom another alien may derive law
[ read more on Principal Alien ] - Principal Applicant
- From travel.state.gov The person named in the petition. For example, an American citi
[ read more on Principal Applicant ] - Priority
- The Bankruptcy Code's statutory ranking of unsecured claims that determines the
[ read more on Priority ] - Priority Claim
- An unsecured claim that is entitled to be paid ahead of other unsecured claims that a
[ read more on Priority Claim ] - Priority Date
- In the USCIS Immigrant visa petition application process, the priority date is the da
[ read more on Priority Date ] - Pro Per
- A slang expression sometimes used to refer to a pro se litigant. It is a corruption o
[ read more on Pro Per ] - Pro Se
- Representing oneself. Serving as one's own lawyer.
- Pro Tem
- Temporary.
- Probation
- Sentencing option in the federal courts. With probation, instead of sending an indivi
[ read more on Probation ] - Probation Officer
- Officers of the probation office of a court. Probation officer duties include conduct
[ read more on Probation Officer ] - Procedure
- The rules for conducting a lawsuit; there are rules of civil procedure, criminal proc
[ read more on Procedure ] - Proof of Claim
- A written statement describing the reason a debtor owes a creditor money, which typic
[ read more on Proof of Claim ] - Property of the Estate
- All legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of
[ read more on Property of the Estate ] - Prosecute
- To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the g
[ read more on Prosecute ] - Public Charge
- Refers to becoming dependent upon the government for the expenses of living (food, sh
[ read more on Public Charge ] - Qualifying Date
- From travel.state.gov The date which the Visa Office of the Department of State uses
[ read more on Qualifying Date ] - Rank Order Number
- From travel.state.gov The number that Kentucky Consular Center gives to the entries o
[ read more on Rank Order Number ] - Re-entry Permit
- From travel.state.gov A travel document that the Department of Homeland Securit
[ read more on Re-entry Permit ] - Reaffirmation Agreement
- An agreement by a debtor to continue paying a dischargeable debt after the bankruptcy
[ read more on Reaffirmation Agreement ] - Reasonable Fear Review
- If an alien who is ordered removed during an expedited removal hearing expresses a fe
[ read more on Reasonable Fear Review ] - Receipt Notice
- From travel.state.gov A Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and I
[ read more on Receipt Notice ] - Recission Hearing
- An Immigration Judge conducts a withholding-only hearing to determine whether an alie
[ read more on Recission Hearing ] - Record
- A written account of the proceedings in a case, including all pleadings, evidence, an
[ read more on Record ] - Redemption
- A procedure in a Chapter 7 case whereby a debtor removes a secured creditor's li
[ read more on Redemption ] - Refugee
- Any person who is outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwillin
[ read more on Refugee ] - Refugee Approval
- The number of refugees approved for admission to the United States during a fiscal year.
- Refugee Arrival
- The number of refugees admitted to the United States through ports of entry during a
[ read more on Refugee Arrival ] - Refugee Authorized Admission
- The maximum number of refugees allowed to enter the United States in a given fiscal y
[ read more on Refugee Authorized Admission ] - Refugee-Parolee
- A qualified applicant for conditional entry, between February 1970 and April 1980, wh
[ read more on Refugee-Parolee ] - Regional Office
- The three USCIS Regional Offices that supervise the work of USCIS Districts. The Regi
[ read more on Regional Office ] - Registry Date
- Aliens who have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 1972, are
[ read more on Registry Date ] - Remand
- Send back.
- Removal
- The expulsion of an alien from the United States. This expulsion may be based on grou
[ read more on Removal ] - Removal Hearing
- Removal hearings are conducted to determine whether certain aliens are subject to rem
[ read more on Removal Hearing ] - Removal Proceeding
- A formal procedure executed in front of an immigration judge to have an alien forcibl
[ read more on Removal Proceeding ] - Required Departure
- A situation in which an alien must leave the country voluntarily (voluntary departure
[ read more on Required Departure ] - Resettlement
- Permanent relocation of refugees in a place outside their country of origin to allow
[ read more on Resettlement ] - Resident Alien
- Applies to non-U.S. citizens currently residing in the United States. The term is app
[ read more on Resident Alien ] - Retrogression
- From travel.state.gov Sometimes a case that is current one month will not be current
[ read more on Retrogression ] - Returning Resident
- Any Lawful Permanent Resident who has been outside the United States and is returning
[ read more on Returning Resident ] - Returning Residents
- From travel.state.gov Lawful permanent residents who want to return to the United Sta
[ read more on Returning Residents ] - Revalidation or Renewal of a Visa
- From travel.state.gov Nonimmigrant visa applicants who currently have a visa, and are
[ read more on Revalidation or Renewal of a Visa ] - Reverse
- The act of a court setting aside the decision of a lower court. A reversal is often a
[ read more on Reverse ] - Revocation of a Visa
- From travel.state.gov Cancellation of a visa. The visa is no longer good (valid) for
[ read more on Revocation of a Visa ] - Safe Haven
- Temporary refuge given to migrants who have fled their countries of origin to seek pr
[ read more on Safe Haven ] - Sanction
- A penalty or other type of enforcement used to bring about compliance with the law or
[ read more on Sanction ] - SAW
- From travel.state.gov See Special Agricultural Worker.
- Schedule
- Lists submitted by the debtor along with the petition (or shortly thereafter) showing
[ read more on Schedule ] - Schedule "A" Occupations
- From travel.state.gov The Department of Labor (DOL) has given the DHS, U.S. Citizensh
[ read more on Schedule "A" Occupations ] - Second Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F2) for spouses, children and
[ read more on Second Preference ] - Section 213A
- From travel.state.gov A section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) which es
[ read more on Section 213A ] - Secured Creditor
- A secured creditor is an individual or business that holds a claim against the debtor
[ read more on Secured Creditor ] - Secured Debt
- Debt backed by a mortgage, pledge of collateral, or other lien; debt for which the cr
[ read more on Secured Debt ] - Senior Judge
- A federal judge who, after attaining the requisite age and length of judicial experie
[ read more on Senior Judge ] - Sentence
- The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.
- Sentencing Guideline
- A set of rules and principles established by the United States Sentencing Commission
[ read more on Sentencing Guideline ] - Sequester
- To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their de
[ read more on Sequester ] - Service Centers
- Four offices established to handle the filing, data entry, and adjudication of certai
[ read more on Service Centers ] - Service of Process
- The delivery of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
- Settlement
- Parties to a lawsuit resolve their dispute without having a trial. Settlements often
[ read more on Settlement ] - Sibling
- From travel.state.gov Brother or sister.
- Son/daughter
- From travel.state.gov In immigration law a child becomes a son or daughter when he/sh
[ read more on Son/daughter ] - Special Agricultural Worker
- Aliens who performed labor in perishable agricultural commodities for a specified per
[ read more on Special Agricultural Worker ] - Special Immigrant
- Certain categories of immigrants who were exempt from numerical limitation before fis
[ read more on Special Immigrant ] - Special Naturalization Provision
- Provisions covering special classes of persons whom may be naturalized even though th
[ read more on Special Naturalization Provision ] - Sponsor
- There are many ways to sponsor an alien. The term "sponsor" in the immigration sense,
[ read more on Sponsor ] - Sponsored Immigrant
- From travel.state.gov An immigrant who has had an affidavit of support filed for him/
[ read more on Sponsored Immigrant ] - Spouse
- From travel.state.gov Legally married husband or wife. A co-habiting partner does not
[ read more on Spouse ] - Standard of Proof
- Degree of proof required. In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove a defendant'
[ read more on Standard of Proof ] - State Workforce Agency
- The agency or bureau in each State that deals with employment and labor issues. For t
[ read more on State Workforce Agency ] - Stateless
- Having no nationality.
- Statement of Financial Affairs
- A series of questions the debtor must answer in writing concerning sources of income,
[ read more on Statement of Financial Affairs ] - Statement of Intention
- A declaration made by a chapter 7 debtor concerning plans for dealing with consumer d
[ read more on Statement of Intention ] - Statute
- A law passed by a legislature.
- Statute of Limitations
- The time within which a lawsuit must be filed or a criminal prosecution begun. The de
[ read more on Statute of Limitations ] - Stepchild
- From travel.state.gov A spouseâs child from a previous marriage or other relatio
[ read more on Stepchild ] - Stowaway
- An alien coming to the United States surreptitiously on an airplane or vessel without
[ read more on Stowaway ] - Student
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United State
[ read more on Student ] - Sua Sponte
- Latin, meaning "of its own will." Often refers to a court taking an action
[ read more on Sua Sponte ] - Subject to the Numerical Limit
- Categories of legal immigrants subject to annual limits under the provisions of the f
[ read more on Subject to the Numerical Limit ] - Subordination
- The act or process by which a person's rights or claims are ranked below those o
[ read more on Subordination ] - Subpoena
- A command, issued under a court's authority, to a witness to appear and give tes
[ read more on Subpoena ] - Subpoena Duces Tecum
- A command to a witness to appear and produce documents.
- Substance Abuse Treatment
- A special condition the court imposes that requires an individual to undergo testing
[ read more on Substance Abuse Treatment ] - Substantial Abuse
- The characterization of a bankruptcy case filed by an individual whose debts are prim
[ read more on Substantial Abuse ] - Substantive Consolidation
- Putting the assets and liabilities of two or more related debtors into a single pool
[ read more on Substantive Consolidation ] - Summary Judgment
- A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record with
[ read more on Summary Judgment ] - Supervised Release
- term of supervision served after a person is released from prison. The court imposes
[ read more on Supervised Release ] - Surviving Parent
- From travel.state.gov A childâs living parent when the childâs other parent
[ read more on Surviving Parent ] - SWA
- From travel.state.gov See State Workforce Agency.
- Tax-Exempt
- From travel.state.gov A condition of the law in which an organization or people in so
[ read more on Tax-Exempt ] - Temporary Protected Status
- Establishes a legislative basis for allowing a group of persons temporary refuge in t
[ read more on Temporary Protected Status ] - Temporary Resident
- An alien residing temporarily within the United States.
- Temporary Restraining Order
- Akin to a preliminary injunction, it is a judge's short-term order forbidding ce
[ read more on Temporary Restraining Order ] - Temporary Worker
- An alien coming to the United States to work for a temporary period of time. The Immi
[ read more on Temporary Worker ] - Termination of a Case
- From travel.state.gov If the applicant fails to reply to the inquiry correspondence s
[ read more on Termination of a Case ] - Testimony
- Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Third Country National
- From travel.state.gov Someone who is not an American and not a citizen of the country
[ read more on Third Country National ] - Third Preference
- From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F3) for married sons and daug
[ read more on Third Preference ] - Toll
- Tort
- A civil, not criminal, wrong. A negligent or intentional injury against a person or p
[ read more on Tort ] - Transcript
- A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a tr
[ read more on Transcript ] - Transfer
- Any mode or means by which a debtor disposes of or parts with his/her property.
- Transit Alien
- An alien in immediate and continuous transit through the United States, with or witho
[ read more on Transit Alien ] - Transit Without Visa
- A transit alien traveling without a nonimmigrant visa under section 233 of the INA. A
[ read more on Transit Without Visa ] - Treaty Investor
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming to the United States, under the
[ read more on Treaty Investor ] - Treaty Trader
- As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming to the United States, under the
[ read more on Treaty Trader ] - Trustee
- The representative of the bankruptcy estate who exercises statutory powers, principal
[ read more on Trustee ] - Typing Service
- A business not authorized to practice law that prepares bankruptcy petitions. United
[ read more on Typing Service ] - U.S. Attorney
- A lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to prosecute and defend
[ read more on U.S. Attorney ] - U.S. Trustee
- An officer of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for supervising the administ
[ read more on U.S. Trustee ] - Undersecured Claim
- A debt secured by property that is worth less than the amount of the debt.
- United States and Canada Free Trade Agreement
- Public Law 100-449 (Act of 9/28/88) established a special, reciprocal trading relatio
[ read more on United States and Canada Free Trade Agreement ] - Unlawful Detainer Action
- A lawsuit brought by a landlord against a tenant to evict the tenant from rental prop
[ read more on Unlawful Detainer Action ] - Unliquidated Claim
- A claim for which a specific value has not been determined.
- Unscheduled Debt
- A debt that should have been listed by the debtor in the schedules filed with the cou
[ read more on Unscheduled Debt ] - Unsecured Claim
- A claim or debt for which a creditor holds no special assurance of payment, such as a
[ read more on Unsecured Claim ] - Upgrade a Petition
- From travel.state.gov If you naturalize (become an American citizen) you may ask the
[ read more on Upgrade a Petition ] - Uphold
- The appellate court agrees with the lower court decision and allows it to stand.
- USCIS
- The USCIS is the United States Citizship and Immigration Services, a part of the U.S.
[ read more on USCIS ] - Venue
- The geographic area in which a court has jurisdiction. A change of venue is a change
[ read more on Venue ] - Verdict
- The decision of a trial jury or a judge that determines the guilt or innocence of a c
[ read more on Verdict ] - Visa
- A U.S. visa allows the bearer to apply for entry to the U.S. in a certain classificat
[ read more on Visa ] - Visa Expiration Date
- From travel.state.gov The visa expiration date is shown on the visa. This means the v
[ read more on Visa Expiration Date ] - Visa Numbers
- From travel.state.gov Congress establishes the amount of immigration each year. Immig
[ read more on Visa Numbers ] - Visa Validity
- From travel.state.gov This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used from the
[ read more on Visa Validity ] - Visa Waiver
- A program which allows citizens of certain selected countries, traveling temporarily
[ read more on Visa Waiver ] - Visa Waiver Program
- From travel.state.gov Citizens of participating countries meeting the Visa Waiver Pro
[ read more on Visa Waiver Program ] - Voir Dire
- Jury selection process of questioning prospective jurors, to ascertain their qualific
[ read more on Voir Dire ] - Voluntary Departure
- The departure of an alien from the United States without an order of removal. The dep
[ read more on Voluntary Departure ] - Voluntary Service Program
- From travel.state.gov An organized project that a religious or nonprofit charitable o
[ read more on Voluntary Service Program ] - Voluntary Transfer
- A transfer of a debtor's property with the debtor's consent.
- VWP
- The Visa Waiver Program
- Wage Garnishment
- A nonbankruptcy legal proceeding whereby a plaintiff or creditor seeks to subject to
[ read more on Wage Garnishment ] - Waiver of Ineligibility
- From travel.state.gov In immigration law certain foreign nationals are ineligible for
[ read more on Waiver of Ineligibility ] - Warrant
- Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or
[ read more on Warrant ] - Withdrawal
- An arriving alien's voluntary retraction of an application for admission to the
[ read more on Withdrawal ] - Witness
- A person called upon by either side in a lawsuit to give testimony before the court o
[ read more on Witness ] - Writ
- A written court order directing a person to take, or refrain from taking, a certain act.
- Writ of Certiorari
- An order issued by the U.S. Supreme Court directing the lower court to transmit recor
[ read more on Writ of Certiorari ]
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