GLOSSARY OF IMMIGRATION TERMS
ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS
The process through which a foreign-born person becomes a permanent resident. This process is available only to persons who are already in the US. Generally, lawful admission and maintaining lawful status are required in order to be able to adjust status, however, in certain circumstances persons who are no longer in lawful status may still able to adjust status.
ADVANCE PAROLE
Permission to depart and re-enter the United States while one’s adjustment application is pending before the USCIS. A person who has accrued long periods of unlawful presence in the
United States may still be barred from re-entry. It is best to seek the advice of an immigration
lawyer before departing the US if one has a pending adjustment application.
AGGRAVATED FELONY
A classification of offenses used in immigration law. Offenses found here are usually serious
offenses – murder, manslaughter. Unlike crimes involving moral turpitude, there is a list of
such offenses (and this list keeps growing). Also, offenses which carry a sentence of one year or
more are classed as aggravated felonies. Being convicted of an aggravated felony may make one
unfit for admission to the US.
CHANGE OF STATUS
Going from one non-immigrant status to another. One must be in a valid non immigrant status to be able to change to another non-immigrant status. E.g. one can change status from being a tourist to being a student; from being a student to being a non-immigrant worker