DV Lottery Glossary of Important Terms
The following is a brief explanation of some of the terms that
appear on this web site as well as terms seen in the United States Immigration
and Nationality Act. These terms are provided for your convenience and are not
all inclusive.
Alien
Any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
Acquired Citizenship
Citizenship given at birth on children born abroad to a U.S.
citizen parent(s).
Adjustment of Status
Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States
to apply for immigrant status without having to leave the United States.
Beginning in October 1994, section 245(i) of the INA allowed illegal residents
who were eligible for immigrant status to remain in the United States and
adjust to permanent resident status by applying at an INS office and paying an
additional penalty fee. Section 245(i) is no longer available unless the alien
is the beneficiary of a petition under section 204 of the Act or of an
application for a labor certification under section 212(a)(5)(A), filed before
January 15, 1998. Prior to October 1994, most illegal residents were required
to leave the United States and acquire a visa abroad from the Department of
State as they are again now.
USCIS, formerly INS
U.S. Citizenship and US immigration Services
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries generally receive a lawful status as a result of
their relationship to a Lawful US Citizen.
Child
Generally, an unmarried person under 21 years of age who is: a
child born from union in matrimony, or your spouse's children from a previous
marriage, as well as adopted children and children under lawful custody.
Citizen
A person who has full rights privileges and protection of living
in the United States.
Country of Birth
The country where you were born.
Chargeability
The independent country to which an immigrant entering under the
preference system is accredited for purposes of numerical limitations.
Diversity Immigrant
A category of immigrants replacing the earlier categories for
nationals of underrepresented countries and countries adversely effected by the
US immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (P.L. 89-236). The annual
limit is now 55,000. These immigrants are typically a direct result of the
Diversity Visa Lottery, or DV Lottery, which is commonly referred to as the
Green Card Lottery.
Derivative Citizenship
Citizenship conveyed to Children through the naturalization of
parents.
Fiscal Year
Currently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and
ending September 30.
Former Allegiance
The previous country of citizenship of a naturalized Citizen.
Green Card
Officially known as: "Alien Registration Receipt Card" which is
the identification card of a Permanent resident. This outdated term refers to
when Permanent Residence Identification Cards were colored green whereas today
a "green card" is actually a light colored red, white, and blue card.
Immigrant
An alien admitted to the US as a lawful permanent resident.
Immigrants are those persons accorded the privilege of residing permanently in
the U.S. They may be issued immigrant visas by the Consulate abroad or here in
the United States once adjusted to Permanent Resident Status by the INS.
Immediate Relatives
Spouses, Immediate parents and Children of US citizens or
permanent residents.
US immigration and Nationality Act
The Act (INA), which, along with other US immigration laws,
treaties, and conventions of the United States, relates to the US immigration,
temporary admission, naturalization, and removal of aliens. Section 203 of the
INA allows for the allocation of Diversity Visas and thereby creating the
Diversity Visa Lottery.
Nationality
The country in which the person is considered a National or a
Citizen.
Native Country
Usually meaning the country in which you were born.
Naturalization
The conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after
birth.
Permanent Resident Alien (Green Card holder)
An alien admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent
resident. Permanent residents are also commonly referred to as immigrants;
Lawful permanent residents are legally accorded the privilege of residing
permanently in the United States. They may be issued immigrant visas by the
Department of State overseas or adjusted to permanent resident status by the
USCIS in the United States. Many of these United States immigrants receive
thier residency through the Green Card Lottery.
Residence The country in which the alien
was living before coming to the United States.
Visa Waiver Program
Allows certain citizens of certain selected countries to travel temporarily to
the United States under the nonimmigrant admission classes of visitors for
pleasure and visitors for business. Also, to enter the United States without
obtaining nonimmigrant visas. Admission is for no more than 90 days. This is
different from Diversity Visas obtained through the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV
Lottery).
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