Changing Legal Status- Elementary School

These terms are about the process of moving from a temporary visitor in the U.S. to a permanent resident.

• Adjustment of Status / 245(a): The process of upgrading your paperwork to get a Green Card while you are already staying inside the United States, without having to fly back to your home country. "245(a)" is the section of the law that allows this.

• 245(i): An old, special rule that allows some people who made a mistake with their paperwork in the past to still pay a fine and get their Green Card inside the U.S. anyway.

• Advance parole: A special permission slip that lets an immigrant travel out of the country for an emergency or vacation and be allowed back into the U.S. without ruining their application.

• Immigration interview: A face-to-face meeting where an immigration officer asks you questions to make sure everything on your paperwork is true and accurate.