Immigration Terms and Definitions

Naturalization Application
The form used by a lawful permanent resident to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Immigration Form I-698
Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Reside

Departure Under Safeguards
The departure of an illegal alien from the United States which is physically observed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official.

Immigration Form I-90
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

Files Control Office
An USCIS field office--either a district (including USCIS overseas offices) or a suboffice of that district--where alien case files are maintained and controlled.

Country of Citizenship
The country in which a person is born (and has not renounced or lost citizenship) or naturalized and to which that person owes allegiance and by which he or she is entitled to be protected.

Intracompany Transferee
An alien, employed for at least one continuous year out of the last three by an international firm or corporation, who seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order to continue to work for the same employer, or a subsidiary or affiliate, in a capacity that is primarily managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge, and the alien’s spouse and minor unmarried children.

Immigration Form I-864A
Affidavit of Support Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member

Country of Nationality
The country of a person’s citizenship or country in which the person is deemed a national.

Immigration Form I-687
Application for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act