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glosary of immigration terms
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Academic Training: A period of work authorization granted subsequent to a J-1 student's completing a degree program. J students should contact their visa sponsor for details. Alien: Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or national. AR-11 Alien's Change of Address Card: This form should be used to register your address with USCIS and notify USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of a move. However, F and J students DO NOT to send this form since they are required to report address changes to the school within 10 days, and these are reported through SEVIS. Thus, the visa coordinator should be notified if any of your contact information changes. AR-11SR Alien's Change of Address Card for Special Registrants: For those individuals who have gone through Special Registration, this form should be used to notify USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of a move. The visa coordinator should also be notified if any of your contact information changes. CBP (Customs and Border Protection): U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the border agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CBP combines the inspectional workforces and broad border authorities of U.S. Customs, U.S. Immigration, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the entire U.S. Border Patrol. Certificate of Eligibility : I-20 or DS-2019. It defines the terms and conditions of your student status including: program, duration of program, and financial responsibility and shows your unique SEVIS identification number. Dependent: The spouse or child of a principal visa holder. Dependents DO NOT include parents, cousins, siblings, etc. DHS (Department of Homeland Security): Effective March 1, 2003, all immigration functions were moved from the INS into the Department of Homeland Security. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. Diversity Visa Lottery ("green card lottery"): The Diversity Visa Lottery program grants 50,000 permanent resident green cards annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. The lottery program is usually held in October/November. Winners for Diversity Visas are chosen by a computer-generated random lottery drawing. DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status: This document is used to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, to facilitate travel and reentry to the U.S., to extend the period of stay in the U.S. , and to transfer from one school to another. This form is used by both students and visiting scholars. (This was formerly called IAP-66 form.) D/S Duration of Status: Students and scholars in F-1 and J-1 status are allowed to stay in the U.S. for the duration of their program of study, research or teaching, as long as they maintain their status at all times. Duration of Status (D/S) refers to the period during which the student or scholar possesses a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form and pursues full-time studies, research, teaching or authorized work. ** F-1 students are permitted up to 60 days after the completion of their studies/end of OPT before they must leave the U.S. J-1 students and scholars are permitted up to 30 days after the end of their program before they must depart the U.S. F-2 and J-2 dependents also are admitted for D/S. DSO (Designated School Official): An individual authorized to sign an I-20 and to report information on F visa holders through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. EAD (Employment Authorization Document): A card issued by USCIS to certain applicants who have requested work permission in the U.S. and whose cases have been approved. Entry Visa: A visa is a multicolored stamp or computerized document affixed to a page in the passport by a U.S. consular office abroad. An international visitor may use the visa to enter the U.S., as long as the visa stamp is valid. The purpose of the visa is simply to permit entry to the U.S. It does not determine how long a visitor may stay in the U.S. There are many different categories of visas, which correspond to the different reasons why a foreign national might enter the U.S. Students often have a variety of entry visas in their passports, so they should make sure they are admitted in student status (and no other status). Extension of Stay: If the authorized period of stay is about to expire, F-1 students must apply for an extension through Ms. Dory Mayer prior to the ending date found on their I-20. J-1 students must apply for an extension from their visa sponsor prior to the ending date on their DS-2019 form. If not, students may become subject to severe penalties imposed by the federal government. Remember, these extensions can be only be granted for "compelling academic or medical reasons" (ie school closure or hospital stay). I-20 Certificate of Eligibility
for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status: This
document is used to apply for an F-1 student visa at
a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, to authorize travel and reentry
to the U.S. , to extend the period of stay in the U.S., and to transfer from one school to another. An I-20
certifies that a student has applied and been accepted
to a full course of study at a school in the U.S. The
I-20 outlines the specific school and full-time program
the student must enroll in to maintain their visa status.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): As part of DHS whose mission is to secure the U.S. air, land, and sea borders by targeting the people, money, and materials that support terrorist and criminal activities. It is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and is responsible for identifying and shutting down vulnerabilities in the nation’s border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security. Immigration Status: This is the classification the DHS gives international visitors when they enter the U.S. (for example, F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor status). This classification corresponds with the visitor's primary purpose for entry to the U.S. The status is written on the I-94 card. Under certain circumstances, individuals can apply for a change of immigration status within the U.S. Student or scholars who wish to change their status should consult with an international student advisor. National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS): Nonimmigrants from certain countries, as well as other individuals DSH or the Department of State designates on a discretionary basis, are required to be processed under Special Registration procedures, as part of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. Non-immigrant: An alien who has been admitted to the U.S. for a specific purpose for a definite period of time. OPT (Optional Practical Training): A period of work authorization granted to F-1 students subsequent to one full academic year (9 months) in a full-time program. USCIS approves and issues an EAD. This period cannot be extended beyond twelve months, and must be completed in the fourteen months following the completion of studies. Principal: The primary person holding a non-immigrant visa classification. F-1, for example is a principal and F-2 is the dependent. Dependents cannot hold their classifications independently of the principal. RO (Responsible Officer): An individual authorized to sign a DS-2019 and to report information on J visa holders through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System): SEVIS is an internet-based application for electronically tracking and reporting of international students and scholars as well as their dependents in the U.S. SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit data electronically to DHS, the Department of State, and other relevant U.S. government agencies throughout a student's, dependent's or exchange visitor's program in the U.S. All U.S. colleges and universities were required to participate in SEVIS by January 30, 2003. SEVIS fee/I-901: See I-901/SEVIS fee. SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program): A division of ICE, SEVP is responsible for the administration of SEVIS. Special Registration: Individuals subject to Special Registration in NSEERS are still required to use only designated ports of departure (after checking in with an immigration officer at the port on the day of the departure) when departing the U.S., but the regulation allows certain non-immigrants to apply for an exemption of the departure control requirement, under limited circumstances. Please consult the “walk-away” material provided to you at the port of entry. USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services): Service and benefit functions of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transitioned into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS is responsible for the administration of immigration adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. Visa: See Entry Visa |
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