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Glossary of Immigration Terms & Legal Terms Begining with B

Bail

The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditions designed to assure that person's appearance in court when required. Also can refer to the am
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Bankruptcy

A legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses; specifically, a case filed under one of the chapters of title 11 of the United States Code (the Bankruptc
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Bankruptcy Administrator

An officer of the Judiciary serving in the judicial districts of Alabama and North Carolina who, like the United States trustee, is responsible for supervising the administration of ban
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Bankruptcy Code

The informal name for title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1330), the federal bankruptcy law.

Bankruptcy Court

The bankruptcy judges in regular active service in each district; a unit of the district court.

Bankruptcy Estate

All interests of the debtor in property at the time of the bankruptcy filing. The estate technically becomes the temporary legal owner of all of the debtor's property.

Bankruptcy Judge

A judicial officer of the United States district court who is the court official with decision-making power over federal bankruptcy cases.

Bankruptcy Petition

A formal request for the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws. (There is an official form for bankruptcy petitions.)

Bankruptcy Trustee

A private individual or corporation appointed in all Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases to represent the interests of the bankruptcy estate and the debtor's creditors.

Bar Association

A Bar Association is a professional body or group of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professi
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Bench Trial

A trial without a jury, in which the judge serves as the fact-finder.

Beneficiaries

Aliens on whose behalf a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or employer have filed a petition for such aliens to receive immigration benefits from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrat
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Beneficiary

From travel.state.gov An applicant for a visa as named in a petition from the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

BIA

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws. It is composed of 11 Board Members, including the Chairman and
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Biometrics

From travel.state.gov Biologically unique information used to identify individuals. This information can be used to verify identity or check against other entries in the database. The b
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Board of Immigration Appeals

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws. It is composed of 11 Board Members, including the Chairman and
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Bond Redetermination Hearing

An Immigration Judge conducts a recission hearing to determine whether a lawful permanent resident (LPR) should have his or her residency status rescinded because he or she was not enti
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Border Crosser

An alien resident of the United States reentering the country after an absence of less than six months in Canada or Mexico, or a nonresident alien entering the United States across the
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Brief

A written statement submitted in a trial or appellate proceeding that explains one side's legal and factual arguments.

Burden of Proof

The duty to prove disputed facts. In civil cases, a plaintiff generally has the burden of proving his or her case. In criminal cases, the government has the burden of proving the defend
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Business Bankruptcy

A bankruptcy case in which the debtor is a business or an individual involved in business and the debts are for business purposes.

Business Nonimmigrant

An alien coming temporarily to the United States to engage in commercial transactions which do not involve gainful employment in the United States, i.e., engaged in international commer
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