The Customs and Border Protection, hereafter “CBP”, (formerly referred to as the Border Patrol) is a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The CBP is the country’s largest and first border control...
immigration law
deportation
Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign national from another country. Typically, deportation occurs for violating an immigration law such as if the foreign national entered the country without proper authorization, violated the terms...
derivation of citizenship
Derivation of citizenship refers to an immigration law concept that allows a child to derive citizenship from a parent who has become a naturalized U.S. citizen. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 provides information on what proof and...
diversity visa program (the lottery)
The diversity visa program (the lottery) is a U.S. Department of State program that selects approximately 50,000 individuals to apply for a U.S. visa on a random, yearly basis. Individuals must qualify to enter the lottery based on...
dual national
A person who is a citizen of two countries at the same time is a dual national and has legal rights and obligations in connection with both countries. Dual citizenship can be obtained by birth or naturalization.
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Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (commonly known as a work permit) is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services that allows certain aliens to work legally in the U.S. for the time period in which the...
ethnic persecution
Ethnic persecution is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC Elements of Crimes specifies that an ethnic persecution prosecution must show:
Severe deprivation of...
Fiallo v. Bell
430 U.S. 787 (1977)
The Supreme Court held that it was constitutional for Congress to grant special preference immigration status to legitimate children and their parents, or illegitimate children and their mothers, while excluding illegitimate children...
forcible transfer
The term "forcible transfer" describes the forced relocation of civilian populations as part of an organized offensive against that population. It is a crime against humanity punishable by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The fifth...
foreign national
A foreign national is a person or organization who is not a citizen of the United States, and who is a citizen of a foreign country. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) uses the term "alien" to refer to a person who is not a United...