Internationals in Knoxville
Asylee: enters the US then requests permission to stay because of persecution at home (must prove persecution)
Migrant: temporarily permitted to live and work in the US, primarily in agriculture
Refugee: persecuted or endangered in their home country and applies to the UNHCR from a displaced persons camp outside the US
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder: assisted our military in their home country, resulting in danger to themselves and their family and necessitating their move to the US
Spouse/Fiance(e)/Adopted child of an American citizen
Undocumented person: entered the US without proper authorization (some await court hearings)
University student, their spouse and children, may include limited permission to work
Visa lottery winner: requests to immigrate, limited numbers from various countries
Working professional: comes at the invitation of a business or organization in the US, sometimes accompanied by "trailing spouse" and children
Migrant: temporarily permitted to live and work in the US, primarily in agriculture
Refugee: persecuted or endangered in their home country and applies to the UNHCR from a displaced persons camp outside the US
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder: assisted our military in their home country, resulting in danger to themselves and their family and necessitating their move to the US
Spouse/Fiance(e)/Adopted child of an American citizen
Undocumented person: entered the US without proper authorization (some await court hearings)
University student, their spouse and children, may include limited permission to work
Visa lottery winner: requests to immigrate, limited numbers from various countries
Working professional: comes at the invitation of a business or organization in the US, sometimes accompanied by "trailing spouse" and children
U.S. Immigration Glossary
Dual citizenship: someone who is simultaneously a citizen of two countries (permitted by the US but not some countries)
Green card: the document that indicates a permanent resident
Humanitarian parole: temporary permission to enter the US, granted for emergencies, compassion, crisis, or public benefit
Immigrant: someone who moves permanently to a country other than his original country of citizenship
Naturalization: the process of becoming a US citizen, possible after 5 years as a legal resident
Permanent resident: a non-citizen authorized to live and work in the US
Unaccompanied minor: a child without the presence of a legal guardian
Visa: permission to enter a country. Various types of visas are issued, some temporary and some permanent.
Visa sponsor: a US citizen who supports the immigration of a spouse/fiance(e), child, relative, or employee
Work Visa: temporary permission to enter the US for employment, lasting a specific period of time
Green card: the document that indicates a permanent resident
Humanitarian parole: temporary permission to enter the US, granted for emergencies, compassion, crisis, or public benefit
Immigrant: someone who moves permanently to a country other than his original country of citizenship
Naturalization: the process of becoming a US citizen, possible after 5 years as a legal resident
Permanent resident: a non-citizen authorized to live and work in the US
Unaccompanied minor: a child without the presence of a legal guardian
Visa: permission to enter a country. Various types of visas are issued, some temporary and some permanent.
Visa sponsor: a US citizen who supports the immigration of a spouse/fiance(e), child, relative, or employee
Work Visa: temporary permission to enter the US for employment, lasting a specific period of time
