Table 1 Terminology and Definition with Example [17, 22,23,24,25]
From: PA applicant U.S. citizenship status and likelihood of program matriculation
Terminology | Definition with Example |
|---|---|
U.S. Citizen | A person who is born into the U.S. or who has become naturalized after 3-5 years as a permanent resident |
Naturalization | A process in which a person above the age of 18 becomes a citizen after being a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or via marriage for 3 years) |
Permanent Residents | Allowed to live and work in the U.S. |
Green Card/Permanent Resident Card/lawful permanent resident alien | Allows a person to be a permanent resident in the United States |
Refugee | A person who has fled their own country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecution. The risks to their safety and life were so great that they felt they had no choice but to leave and seek safety outside their country because their own government cannot or will not protect them from those dangers. Refugees have a right to international protection. |
Asylum seeker | Similar to the definition of refugee, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim. Seeking asylum is a human right. |
Resident | A person who is legally working or living in a country |
Conditional Residents | Married less than two years before receiving green card |
Undocumented | People who are in the country illegally or without permission; unable to work or obtain driver’s license |
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | Individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) act which to protects them from deportation and gives them a work permit renewable every two years. |
VISA | Allows a person to stay in the country for a set duration •tourist (B-2 visa) •students (F-1 visa) •cultural and exchange (J-1 visa) •business visitors or tourists (B1/B2 visas) •fiancées (K-1 visa) •individuals granted temporary protected status •many others * |