Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act

A potential bill seeking to reduce levels of legal immigration to the United States by 50% by halving the number of green cards issued. The bill would also impose a cap of 50,000 refugee admissions a year and would end the visa diversity lottery. (The bill received the support of Donald Trump, but was opposed by Democrats, immigrant rights groups, and some Republicans). Find out if you would be let in under Trump’s RAISE act here

Birthright Citizenship

Under the Current United States law, U.S. citizenship is automatically granted to any person born within and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (while Trump is currently trying to get rid of this law, as of now, children of undocumented parents born in the states, are U.S. citizens).

U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Responsible for identifying, investigating, and dismantling vulnerabilities regarding the nation's border, economic, transportation, and infrastructure security.

Sanctuary Cities

Cities in the United States or Canada that have policies designed to not prosecute undocumented persons. These practices can be by law (de jure) or they can be by habit (de facto).

Development, Relief, & Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act

An American legislative proposal for a multi-phase process for undocumented immigrants in the United States that would first grant conditional residency and upon meeting further qualifications, permanent residency.

Undocumented Immigrant

A foreign-born person who does not have the legal right to be in or remain in the United States (no green card or citizenship).

DACA

Is an American immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country before their 16th birthday and before June 2007 to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation. DACA does confer non-immigrant legal status but does not provide a path to citizenship.

Nonimmigrant Visa

For temporary visits (i.e. tourism, business, work, or studying).

Immigrant Visa

For people wishing to live permanently in the US.

Asylum

Protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee.

Refugee

A person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Permanent Resident

Otherwise known as a green card, is a permit allowing a foreign national to live and work permanently in the US. It is an identification card a person receives when they become a US lawful permanent resident.