Definitions
- Refugee: A foreign-born resident who is not a United States
citizen and cannot return to his/her country of origin or last
residence, due to race, nationality, membership in a particular social
group, or a political opinion. A refugee receives this status prior
to entering the United States.
- Asylee: A person who seeks
asylum. A foreign-born resident who is not a United States
citizen and who cannot return to his/her country of origin or last
residence, due to race, nationality, membership in a particular social
group, or a political opinion. An asylee receives this status after
entering the United States.
- Parolee: A foreign-born person who has been given permission upon
arrival to enter the United States under emergency conditions or when his/her
entry is considered to be in the public interest.
- Immigrant: An immigrant can be any of the above-listed
temporary residents (refugee, asylee, parolee). An immigrant can
also be a foreign-born person admitted to the United States as an
actual or prospective permanent resident.
- Non-Immigrant: A person who can be classified under one or
more of the following: undocumented individual, tourist, visitor on
business, or foreign/international student.
- US Citizen: Citizenship is granted at birth to persons born
in the US, persons born abroad with at least one US citizen parent,
persons granted lawful permanent residence, or persons naturalized.
- Alien: Any person not a citizen or national of the
United States.
- Permanent Resident: Any person not a citizen of
the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized
and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant. Also known
as "Permanent Resident Alien", "Lawful Permanent
Resident," "Resident Alien Permit Holder," and
"Green Card Holder."
For more information on terms related to refugees and immigration
please go to the United States Citizen and Immigration Services
glossary: http://uscis.gov/graphics/glossary3.htm#P
(exit DHFS)
Last Revised: December 13, 2006 |
