Glossary of Terms
Immigration Terms
Nonimmigrant Visas
Nonimmigrant visas are temporary U.S. travel documents placed inside a foreign national’s passport, indicating both the purpose of travel and the visa category granted. These visas allow a person to enter the United States for a limited period and for specific...
Marriage Fraud/Sham Marriage
A sham marriage is a marriage entered into solely to evade U.S. immigration laws or requirements rather than to establish a genuine marital relationship. Some individuals may view this as an easy way to obtain permanent residency, yet the risks and consequences make...
H-1B or H1B Visa
Una visa H-1B o H1B es una visa de trabajo que está disponible para los empleados extranjeros que serán contratados en ocupaciones de especializadas como una licenciatura, su equivalente o un título superior es normalmente un requisito mínimo. Los trabajos específicos...
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Lottery)
The diversity immigrant visa program was created by the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1990 to broaden the range of immigrants who come to the United States each year. Through this program, up to 55,000 diversity visas are made available annually to individuals...
Deferred Action
Deferred action is a discretionary power used by the United States government to temporarily delay the deportation or removal of a foreign national from the country. Rather than granting lawful immigration status, this form of relief represents a formal decision by...
Adjustment of status
Adjustment of status is a legal process that allows certain foreign nationals who are already present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status without having to leave the country. This procedure is commonly used by individuals who were...
Family Law Terms
Joint Custody
Joint custody is a child custody arrangement that allows both parents to remain actively involved in raising their child after separation or divorce. Instead of assigning full authority to one parent, this arrangement encourages continued participation from each...
No Fault Divorce
A no fault divorce is a legal process that allows a married couple to end their marriage without assigning blame or proving wrongdoing by either spouse. Instead of presenting evidence of adultery, abuse, abandonment, or other fault-based grounds, the spouses simply...
Legal Separation
A legal separation is a formal court order that allows a married couple to live apart while defining their financial and parental responsibilities, yet the marriage itself remains legally intact. Many spouses choose this route when they need structure and clarity...
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce occurs when spouses are unable to agree on ending the marriage or on one or more key terms of the divorce. Disputes commonly involve child custody, parenting time, spousal support, child support, and the division of marital property or debts. When...
