Definitions

• Refugee
  A foreign-born resident who is not a United States citizen and cannot return to his/her country of origin or last residence, due to race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or a political opinion.  A refugee receives this status prior to entering the United States. 
• Asylee
  A person who seeks asylum.  A foreign-born resident who is not a United States citizen and who cannot return to his/her country of origin or last residence, due to race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or a political opinion.  An asylee receives this status after entering the United States. 
• Parolee
  A foreign-born person who has been given permission upon arrival to enter the United States under emergency conditions or when his/her entry is considered to be in the public interest.
• Immigrant
  An immigrant can be any of the above-listed temporary residents (refugee, asylee, parolee).  An immigrant can also be a foreign-born person admitted to the United States as an actual or prospective permanent resident.
• Non-Immigrant
  A person who can be classified under one or more of the following: undocumented individual, tourist, visitor on business, or foreign/international student.
• US Citizen
  Citizenship is granted at birth to persons born in the US, persons born abroad with at least one US citizen parent, persons granted lawful permanent residence, or persons naturalized.
• Alien
  Any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
• Permanent Resident
  Any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant.  Also known as "Permanent Resident Alien", "Lawful Permanent Resident," "Resident Alien Permit Holder," and "Green Card Holder."
• Admission statuses and eligibility for public benefits  (PDF, 33 KB) for Wisconsin residents that are not US citizens

For a complete listing of immigration related terms go to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service glossary (exit DHS)

Last Revised:  June 25, 2009