Criminal Defense of Immigrants

(E)  Procedural Terminology:  The following are some additional terms used to describe key documents or information used in immigration proceedings:

A-Number:  The unique eight or nine digit number used by the immigration authorities to identify a noncitizen.

“FOIA” (Freedom of Immigration Act): A document that may be filed requesting the immigration authorities’ records regarding a noncitizen.

I-94: Arrival-Departure Record.  A small card usually placed in a noncitizen’s passport that generally contains information regarding the period during which the noncitizen is allowed to remain in the United States.

I-485: Application for Adjustment of Status.

I-551 (“Green Card”): A card used to identify a noncitizen as a lawful permanent resident.  The card may have a two or ten year expiration date.  Some older cards do not have an expiration date, but the DHS is now requiring that these cards be replaced with ones that do.

 “NTA” (Notice to Appear): The document used after April 1, 1997 to charge a noncitizen with removal.

“OSC” (Order to Show Cause): The document used before April 1, 1997 to charge a noncitizen with deportation or exclusion.

“ROP” (Record of Proceedings): The Immigration Court’s file containing all the court records of a removal proceeding.