Alien: A person who is not a citizen or national of the U.S.

CBP: Acronym for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

CIS: Acronym for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Also known as USCIS. Formerly known as INS (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services). 

CPT: Acronym for Curricular Practical Training. Temporary on- or off-campus employment authorized to individuals in F-1 nonimmigrant student status for gaining experience as integral part of the curriculum.

DHS: Acronym for U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

DS-2019: Letter-sized document issued to a J-1 nonimmigrant exchange visitor containing visitor, program sponsor, and other program-related information.

DOL: Acronym for U.S. Department of Labor.

DOS: Acronym for U.S. Department of State.

EAD: Acronym for Employment Authorization Document (aka, Employment Authorization Card; Form I-766). Credit card-sized document that grants a nonimmigrant permission to engage in employment in the U.S. for a limited period of time.

FICA Tax: FICA is acronym for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FICA tax is imposed on employers and employees (unless exempted) for the Social Security and Medicare federal funds.

Foreign National: UH defines it as a person who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.  DHS defines it as a person who is a citizen of a country other than the U.S.

Green Card: Credit card-sized document issued to a person who is not a citizen of the U.S. authorizing permanent residence in the U.S.

I-131: Immigration form used for application for travel document (aka, advance parole).

I-140: Immigration form used for employment-based immigrant petition or application (part of the Permanent Residence process).

I-20: Three-page, letter-sized document issued to an F-1 nonimmigrant student containing student, academic institution, and other academic-related information.

I-485: Immigration form used for application to adjust to immigrant status (part of the Permanent Residence process).

I-765: Immigration form used for application for Employment Authorization Card (aka, EAD).

I-797: Letter-sized document issued to a foreign national through the CIS as notification of receipt or approval of a nonimmigrant or immigrant petition or application.

I-9: DHS form used by U.S. employers to verify an individual’s eligibility to work in the U.S.

I-94: Document issued to a nonimmigrant by DHS to classify the purpose and length of stay in the U.S., formerly as a paper card, now available electronically via www.cbp.gov/i94. 

ICE: Acronym for U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement. Branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Immigrant: A person who is not a citizen of the U.S. that has been authorized to reside in the U.S. permanently. Also known as lawful permanent resident; permanent resident alien; green card holder.

ITIN: Acronym for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. A person may not use an ITIN in place of a social security number (SSN) for employment.

Lawful Permanent Resident: A person who is not a citizen of the U.S. who has been authorized to reside in the U.S. permanently. Also known as immigrant; permanent resident alien; green card holder.

Nonimmigrant: A person who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. that has been admitted into the U.S. to engage in a specific activity for a limited period of time. Also known as temporary resident.

OPT: Acronym for Optional Practical Training. Temporary employment authorized to individuals in F-1 nonimmigrant student status through an Employment Authorization Card (aka, EAD) for gaining experience directly related to their major area of study.

PERM: Acronym for Program Electronic Review Management. It is the latest method of application for Labor Certification of certain employment-based immigrant petitions (part of the Permanent Residence process).

Permanent Resident (Immigration): A person who is not a citizen of the U.S. that has been authorized to reside in the U.S. permanently. Also known as immigrant; lawful permanent resident; permanent resident alien; green card holder.

Permanent Resident Alien: A person who is not a citizen of the U.S. that has been authorized to reside in the U.S. permanently. Also known as immigrant; lawful permanent resident; green card holder.

Temporary Resident (Immigration): A person who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. that has been admitted into the U.S. to engage in a specific activity for a limited period of time. Also known as nonimmigrant.

TPS: Acronym for Temporary Protected Status. Nonimmigrant classification reserved for nationals of certain countries that are unable to safely return to their countries due to extraordinary circumstances, to reside in the U.S. for a limited period of time.

USCIS: Acronym for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Also known as CIS. Formerly known as INS (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services).

Visa: Full-page sticker inside a foreign national’s passport, issued by the DOS from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the purpose of requesting entry into the U.S.  Only used during travel to request entry to the U.S.; cannot be obtained from within the U.S.