Occupation
For an alien entering the United States or adjusting without a labor
certification, occupation refers to the employment held in the country
of last legal residence or in the United States. For an alien with
a labor certification, occupation is the employment for which certification
has been issued.
Orphan
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides a definition of an orphan
for the purposes of immigration to the United States.
Panel Physician
A medically trained, licensed and experienced doctor practicing overseas
who is appointed by the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. These medical
professionals receive U.S. immigration-focused training in order to
provide examinations as required by the CDC (Center for Disease Control
and Prevention) and BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service).
Parolee
A parolee is an alien, appearing to be inadmissible to the inspecting
officer, allowed into the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons
or when that alien’s entry is determined to be for significant
public benefit. Parole does not constitute a formal admission to the
United States and confers temporary status only, requiring parolees
to leave when the conditions supporting their parole cease to exist.
Humanitarian parole
authorized at INS headquarters or overseas District Offices for urgent
humanitarian reasons specified in the law. It is used in cases of
medical emergency and comparable situations.
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.
Permanent Resident Alien
An alien admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
Permanent residents are also commonly referred to as immigrants; however,
the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA) broadly defines an immigrant as any alien in the United States,
except one legally admitted under specific nonimmigrant categories.
Preference System (Immigration Act of 1990)
The nine categories since fiscal year 1992 among which the family-sponsored
and employment-based immigrant preference visas are distributed. The
family-sponsored preferences are: 1) unmarried sons and daughters
of U.S. citizens; 2) spouses, children,
and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens; 3)
married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; 4) brothers and sisters
of U.S. citizens. The employment-based preferences are: 1) priority
workers (persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors
and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers);
2) professionals with advanced degrees or aliens with exceptional
ability; 3) skilled workers, professionals (without advanced degrees),
and needed unskilled workers; 4) special immigrants; and 5) employment
creation immigrants (investors).
Principal Alien
The alien who applies for immigrant status and from whom another
alien may derive lawful status under immigration law or regulations
(usually spouses and minor unmarried children).
Priority Date
In the INS Immigrant visa petition application process, the priority
date is the date the petition was filed. If the alien relative has
a priority date on or before the date listed in the visa bulletin,
then he or she is currently eligible for a visa.
