US Immigration Law Overview

Flashcards covering key concepts related to U.S. immigration law, including terminology, legislation, and definitions.

Statutory Law

Laws created by legislatures, typically in the form of statutes or codes.

United States Code (USC)

The compilation of federal statutes enacted by the United States Congress.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, which includes Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Public Law

Laws that pertain to the relationship between individuals and the government.

INA (Immigration and Nationality Act)

The body of laws that govern immigration and citizenship in the United States.

Regulation

A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority; it is not considered a law but is enforced like one.

Case Law

Law established by the outcome of former court cases, providing precedents for future cases.

Circuit Courts

Intermediate appellate courts in the federal judicial system; there are 13 circuit courts.

Affidavit of Support

A document in which a sponsor pledges to provide financial support for an immigrant.

Diversity Visa

A type of visa available to nationals of underrepresented countries through a lottery system.

Aggravated Felony

A category of crimes that can have severe immigration consequences, including ineligibility for relief from removal.

IRCA (Immigration Reform and Control Act)

A legislation passed in 1986 that provided amnesty for certain undocumented immigrants.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to decide the legality of legislative and executive actions.

Removal Proceedings

The process used to determine whether an individual should be removed from the United States.

Protected Grounds

The five categories under which a person can seek asylum: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and political opinion.

Adjustment of Status

The process that allows an eligible individual to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Conditional Resident Status

Temporary resident status granted to individuals who have been married to a U.S. citizen for less than two years.

Special Agricultural Worker (SAW)

An immigration status for certain undocumented agricultural workers established by the IRCA.

Cuban Adjustment Act

Legislation that allows Cuban nationals and their families to obtain permanent resident status in the U.S.

USA Patriot Act

Legislation enacted in response to the September 11 attacks, which expanded the abilities of law enforcement to surveil and detain individuals.