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Glossary of Immigration Terms & Legal Terms Begining with M

Machine Readable Passport (MRP)

From travel.state.gov A passport which has biographic information entered on the data page according to international specifications. A machine readable passport is required to travel w
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Machine Readable Visa (MRV)

From travel.state.gov A visa that contains biometric information about the passport holder. A visa that immigration officers read with special machines when the applicants enter the Uni
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Magistrate Judge

A judicial officer of a district court who conducts initial proceedings in criminal cases, decides criminal misdemeanor cases, conducts many pretrial civil and criminal matters on behal
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Maintain status

From travel.state.gov To follow the requirements of the visa status and comply with any limitations on duration of stay.

Means-tested Public Benefits

From travel.state.gov Assistance from a government unit. Benefits include food stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and
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Medical Parolee

Parolee

Medical Waiver

A medical waiver permits an immigration applicant to be allowed into, or remain in the United States despite having a health condition identified as grounds of inadmissibility. Terms an
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Mental Health Treatment

Special condition the court imposes to require an individual to undergo evaluation and treatment for a mental disorder. Treatment may include psychiatric, psychological, and sex offense
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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 imprisonment or less. Individual states may define this differently, but in any case, a misdemeanor is
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Missionary Work

From travel.state.gov Work performed for a religious organization to spread the faith (religion) and advance the principles and doctrines of the religion. Such work may include religiou
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Mistrial

An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again with the selection of a new jury.

Moot

Not subject to a court ruling because the controversy has not actually arisen, or has ended.

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 even referring to, evidence on matters said to be so highly prejudicial that no steps taken by the
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Motion to Lift the Automatic Stay

A request by a creditor to allow the creditor to take action against the debtor or the debtor's property that would otherwise be prohibited by the automatic stay.