IMMIGRATION LAW
(VOCABULARY 1).
Immigration law has a number of highly technical terms that may not mean the same thing to the average reader.To inform USCIS.gov users, we provide this glossary of immigration terms and acronyms. This glossary is designed to help you better understand the information provided on this website. The terms described in it do not replace statutory, regulatory, or other definitions provided by law or Department of Homeland Security’s official policies and interpretations of law.
Admission Number or I-94 Number — An 11-digit number found on the Form I-94 or Form I-94A.
Arrival-Departure Record.
Alien -- Any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
Alien Registration Number or Alien Number(A Number or A#) -- A unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen by the Department of Homeland Security. Also see “USCIS Number.”
Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94/I-94A) -- A small white card placed in the passport of an alien when they are admitted or paroled to the United States. This form is also issued to aliens in connection with the approval of an immigration benefit granted from within the United States. The card indicates parole or the immigration status under which the alien was admitted, and, if applicable, how long the alien is authorized to stay in the United States, either with a specific date, or with a notation such as D/S (Duration of Status). See also Duration of Status.
Asylee -- 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.
Au Pair Program -- A Department of State J-1 cultural exchange program that provides exchange visitors between 18 and 26 years old the chance to participate in the home life of a U.S. host family. All au pair participants provide child care services to the host family and attend a U.S. post-secondary educational institution.
CBP-- An abbreviation for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security.
Cap-Gap Extension -- Allows foreign students seeking to change to H-1B status to extend their status and employment authorization through Sept. 30 of the calendar year for which the H-1B petition is being filed, but only if the employment start date in H-1B status will begin on Oct. 1. The extension is automatically terminated if the petition is rejected, denied or revoked.
Casual domestic employment -- Sporadic, irregular or intermittent domestic service provided by an individual in a private home.
(VOCABULARY 1).
Immigration law has a number of highly technical terms that may not mean the same thing to the average reader.To inform USCIS.gov users, we provide this glossary of immigration terms and acronyms. This glossary is designed to help you better understand the information provided on this website. The terms described in it do not replace statutory, regulatory, or other definitions provided by law or Department of Homeland Security’s official policies and interpretations of law.
Admission Number or I-94 Number — An 11-digit number found on the Form I-94 or Form I-94A.
Arrival-Departure Record.
Alien -- Any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
Alien Registration Number or Alien Number(A Number or A#) -- A unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen by the Department of Homeland Security. Also see “USCIS Number.”
Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94/I-94A) -- A small white card placed in the passport of an alien when they are admitted or paroled to the United States. This form is also issued to aliens in connection with the approval of an immigration benefit granted from within the United States. The card indicates parole or the immigration status under which the alien was admitted, and, if applicable, how long the alien is authorized to stay in the United States, either with a specific date, or with a notation such as D/S (Duration of Status). See also Duration of Status.
Asylee -- 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.
Au Pair Program -- A Department of State J-1 cultural exchange program that provides exchange visitors between 18 and 26 years old the chance to participate in the home life of a U.S. host family. All au pair participants provide child care services to the host family and attend a U.S. post-secondary educational institution.
CBP-- An abbreviation for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security.
Cap-Gap Extension -- Allows foreign students seeking to change to H-1B status to extend their status and employment authorization through Sept. 30 of the calendar year for which the H-1B petition is being filed, but only if the employment start date in H-1B status will begin on Oct. 1. The extension is automatically terminated if the petition is rejected, denied or revoked.
Casual domestic employment -- Sporadic, irregular or intermittent domestic service provided by an individual in a private home.