Immigration Dictionary

Legal Terms Explained In Plain English

V-1 VisaSpouses of Green Card holders waiting at least 3 years to immigrate.
V-2 VisaChildren of Green Card holders waiting at least 3 years to immigrate.
V-3 VisaChildren of V-1 or V-2 visa holders.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000Public Law 106-386 (Act of 10/28/2000), enacted to combat trafficking in persons, especially into the sex trade, slavery, and involuntary servitude, and to reauthorize certain Federal programs to prevent violence against immigrant women and children. Created nonimmigrant classes of admission allowing temporary status to individuals (and spouses, children, and parents) in the United States who are or have been victims of a severe form of trafficking or who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as victims of criminal activity. Afforded the same immigrant benefits as refugees, with allowance for adjustment to permanent resident status.
VisaA visa is a permit to apply to enter the United States. If needed, it is normally obtained at an American embassy or consulate outside the United States. It classifies the visit as business, tourism, etc. and is usually valid for multiple visits to the U.S. during a specified period of time.
Visa Waiver Program

The program allows citizens of certain selected countries, traveling temporarily to the United States under the nonimmigrant admission classes of visitors for pleasure and visitors for business, to enter the United States without obtaining nonimmigrant visas. Admission is for no more than 90 days. The program was instituted by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (entries began 7/1/88). Under the Guam Visa Waiver Program, certain visitors from designated countries may visit Guam only for up to 15 days without first having to obtain nonimmigrant visitor visas. The Visa Waiver Program was made permanent in 2000.

Voluntary DepartureThe departure of an alien from the United States without an order of removal. The departure may or may not have been preceded by a hearing before an immigration judge. An alien allowed to voluntarily depart concedes removability but does not have a bar to seeking admission at a port-of-entry at any time. Failure to depart within the time granted results in a fine and a ten-year bar to several forms of relief from deportation.