Terms for People- High School

These terms define a person’s precise legal identity and relationship to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

• US Citizen: An individual who owes permanent allegiance to the United States and is entitled to all constitutional rights, protections, and privileges. Citizenship is acquired by birth within the U.S. (jus soli), birth abroad to U.S. citizens (jus sanguinis), or through the statutory process of naturalization.

• Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR): A non-citizen who has been legally authorized to reside and work in the United States on a permanent basis. Commonly known as a Green Card holder, an LPR can eventually apply for naturalization if they meet specific residency and civic requirements.

• Nonimmigrant: A foreign national who seeks temporary entry into the United States for a specific, designated purpose (such as tourism, higher education, or specialized employment) and who declares an explicit intent to return to their home country upon the expiration of their status.

• Alien: The formal, statutory term utilized in federal law in referring to any individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States.

• Undocumented: An individual residing within the United States without valid, unexpired legal status. This includes individuals who entered the country without inspection (EWI- Entry Without Inspection) or those who entered legally on a temporary visa but remained past their authorized period of stay (visa overstay).

• Beneficiaries: The designated foreign nationals who are eligible to receive immigration benefits or status as a result of a legal petition filed on their behalf by a qualifying sponsor (such as a U.S. citizen relative or a domestic employer).

• Child: In the way that U.S. immigration statutes defines it, a "child" is an unmarried individual who is under the age of 21. This distinction is crucial, as turning 21 alters an individual's legal classification and timeline for visa eligibility.

• Dual nationality: The simultaneous possession of formal citizenship in two separate sovereign nations, requiring the individual to adhere to the laws and civic responsibilities of both countries.