Week Two -Immigration Vocabulary

A person who leaves their home country to settle permanently in another country.

An immigrant legally authorized to live and work in the United States permanently. A green card is proof of this status and permanent residency can be a step toward citizenship.

A person living in a country without current legal authorization or valid immigration documentation.

A legally recognized member of a country who has the rights and protections of citizenship. A person may be a citizen by birth or through naturalization.

Someone forced to flee their home country because of persecution, war, or violence. Refugees generally apply for protection from outside the destination country.

Someone who is already in a foreign country or at its border and requests legal protection because they fear persecution or serious danger in their home country.

Official authorization that allows a person to enter, stay in, or sometimes work or study in a country for a specific period and purpose. Examples include student, tourist, and work visas.

A document proving that someone is a lawful permanent resident and may live and work permanently in the United States.

The legal process through which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen.

Proposed federal legislation that would provide certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children with a pathway toward legal status and potentially citizenship.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the interior of the United States, including detention and removal operations.

A federal law-enforcement agency responsible primarily for preventing unauthorized entry into the United States between official ports of entry and protecting U.S. borders.

The formal legal removal of a foreign national from a country for violating immigration laws or other legally established grounds for removal.

A Department of Homeland Security document that begins removal proceedings against a person in immigration court.

A provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows ICE to enter agreements with state and local law-enforcement agencies so specially trained local officers can perform certain federal immigration-enforcement functions.

A warrant issued and signed by a judge or magistrate. It generally requires probable cause and can authorize law enforcement to conduct a search or arrest under the conditions specified by the warrant.

A document issued by an immigration agency such as ICE or CBP and signed by an immigration officer rather than a judge. It may authorize a civil immigration arrest but does not by itself authorize agents to enter a private home or non-public area without consent.

A reasonable belief, based on specific facts, that a crime has been committed or that a particular person committed it. It is generally required for a judicial warrant.

A court-issued order requiring someone to testify or provide documents or other evidence. Compliance is legally required.

An administrative request issued by an immigration agency such as ICE or USCIS seeking testimony, records, or other information. Unlike a judicial subpoena, it is not initially issued by a court.

A general term for a city that limits certain forms of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, particularly concerning local government or law-enforcement involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

NYC terms associated with temporary shelters and service centers created to accommodate recent migrants and asylum seekers.

A legal framework in New York City concerning the city's obligation to provide temporary emergency shelter to people who meet applicable requirements and request it.

The process in which people increasingly adopt the culture, practices, or identity of a new society, sometimes reducing their connection to elements of their original culture.

Adapting to aspects of a new culture while continuing to maintain important elements of one's original culture and identity.

Fear, hostility, dislike, or prejudice toward people perceived as being from another country or culture.