GLST 101 - Refugees Unit Key Terms

Amnesty

A legal guarantee that exempts a person or group of persons from liability for criminal or political offenses. If respected and properly applied, an amnesty can help promote the voluntary repatriation of refugees.

Assistance

Aid provided to address the physical, material and legal needs of persons of concern to UNHCR. This may include cash, food items, medical supplies, clothing, shelter, seeds and tools, as well as the provision of infrastructure, such as schools and roads.

asylum seeker

The grant, by a State, of protection on its territory to persons outside their country of nationality or habitual residence, who are fleeing persecution or serious harm or for other reasons. Asylum encompasses a variety of elements, including protection against refoulement, permission to remain on the territory of the asylum country, humane standards of treatment and access to a durable solution.

asylum seeker

A general term for any person who is seeking international protection. In some countries, it is used as a legal term referring to a person who has applied for refugee status or a complementary international protection status and has not yet received a final decision on their claim. It can also refer to a person who has not yet submitted an application but may intend to do so, or may be in need of international protection. Not every asylum-seeker will ultimately be recognized as a refugee, but every refugee is initially an asylum seeker.

Refugee

Persons outside their countries of origin who are in need of international protection because of feared persecution, or a serious threat to their life, physical integrity or freedom in their country of origin as a result of persecution, armed conflict, violence or serious public disorder.

refugee camp

A plot of land temporarily made available to host refugees in temporary homes. UNHCR, host Governments and other humanitarian organizations provide essential services in refugee camps including food, sanitation, health, medicine and education. These camps are ideally located at least 50 km away from the nearest international border to deter camp raids and other attacks on its civilian occupants.

Returnee

A former refugee who has returned from a host country to their country of origin or former habitual residence, spontaneously or in an organized fashion, with the intention of remaining there permanently and who is yet to be fully integrated.

DACA

Policy that would provide deportation relief to those brought to this country as children.

Undocumented Immigrants

People who enter a country without proper documents and or people who entered on Non-Immigrant Visas (NIV) and overstayed.

Regional Refugee Instrument

An international legal document relating to refugees that is adopted by States or intergovernmental organizations within a geographical region or sub-region. Such instruments normally complement the 1951 Convention and reflect the specific character of refugee issues within the particular geographical area. Notable examples of regional instruments are the OAU Convention of 1969 and the Cartagena Declaration of 1984..

mutual-aid society

A voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit.

NGO

non-governmental organization

501c3 organization

A tax code classification that applies to most interest groups an direct service organizations. This designation makes donations to the group tax-deductible but limits the group's political activities.

IDHS

Illinois Department of Human Services

food security

Physical, social, and economic access at all times to safe and nutritious food sufficient to meet dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Economic Justice

A term that concerns the distribution of resources in a fair and equitable manner

I-130

Petition for family (sponsored immigrant)

legal aid

legal services paid for by taxpayers, available to persons unable to afford a lawyer

Resettlement

The selection and transfer of refugees from a State in which they have sought treatyprotection to a third State that has agreed to admit them - as refugees - with permanent residence status. The status provided ensures protection against refoulement and provides a resettled refugee and his or her dependants with access to rights similar to those enjoyed by nationals. Resettlement also carries with it the opportunity to eventually become a naturalized citizen of the resettlement country. As such, resettlement is a mechanism for refugee protection, a durable solution, and an example of international burden and responsibility sharing.

USCIS

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

DHS

Department of Homeland Security

Temporary Protected Status

A temporary immigration status to the United States. TPS beneficiaries may remain in the United States and may obtain work authorization. TPS does not lead to permanent resident status

Refoulement

The removal of a person to a territory where they would be at risk of being persecuted (direct refoulement), or of being moved to another territory where they would face persecution (indirect refoulement). Under international refugee law and customary international law, refoulement is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

deportation

An official order telling someone to leave a country; expulsion

N-600

Application for Certificate of Citizenship

N-400

Application for Naturalization

Refugee Status

The formal recognition (whether by UNHCR or a State) of a person as fulfilling the criteria required to designate them as a refugee according to international, regional or national law.

Humanitarian Parole

The process that allows someone, otherwise inadmissible, temporarily into the U.S due to a compelling emergency.

Form I-131

Application for Travel Document (Non-Citizens)

I-134

An agreement to provide financial support to a beneficiary of certain immigration benefits for the duration of their temporary stay in the United States.

Participant

Modern nomenclature to describe people who participate in or receive support from an organization's services.

Client/Beneficiary

Outdated nomenclature to describe refugees who are receiving assistance from an organization.

I-730

If you are a principal refugee admitted to the United States within the past two years, you (the petitioner) may use this form to request follow-to-join immigration benefits for your qualifying spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age.