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Glossary of Immigration Terms & Legal Terms Begining with F

Face Sheet Filing

A bankruptcy case filed either without schedules or with incomplete schedules listing few creditors and debts. (Face sheet filings are often made for the purpose of delaying an eviction
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Family Farmer

An individual, individual and spouse, corporation, or partnership engaged in a farming operation that meets certain debt limits and other statutory criteria for filing a petition under
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Family First Preference

From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F1) for unmarried sons and daughters of American citizens, and their children.

Family Fourth Preference

From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F4) for brothers and sisters of American citizens and their spouses and children. The American citizen must be 21 years of age or
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Family Second Preference

From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F2) for spouses, children and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.

Family Third Preference

From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F3) for married sons and daughters of American citizens and their spouses and children. Before 1992 this was known as fourth pref
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Federal Dublic Defender

An attorney employed by the federal courts on a full-time basis to provide legal defense to defendants who are unable to afford counsel. The judiciary administers the federal defender p
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Federal Law

Federal Poverty Guidelines

From travel.state.gov See Poverty Guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Services publishes a list every year giving the lowest income acceptable for a family of a particular si
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Federal Public Defender Organization

As provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, an organization established within a federal judicial circuit to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford an adequate defense. Each o
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Federal Question Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.

Felony

A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.

Fiance(e)s of U.S. Citizen

A nonimmigrant alien coming to the United States to conclude a valid marriage with a U.S. citizen within ninety days after entry. From travel.state.gov A person who plans or is contract
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Field Office

Offices found in some Districts that serve a portion of the District's jurisdiction. A Field Office, headed by an Officer-in-Charge, provides many services and enforcement function
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Files Control Office

An USCIS field office--either a district (including USCIS overseas offices) or a suboffice of that district--where alien case files are maintained and controlled.

First Preference

From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F1) for unmarried sons and daughters of American citizens and their children.

Fiscal Year

Currently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective
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Following to Join

From travel.state.gov A type of derivative visa status when the family member gets a visa after the principal applicant.

Foreign Affairs Manual

From travel.state.gov Foreign Affairs Manual Chapter 41 relates to nonimmigrant visas. Chapter 42 covers immigrant visas. 9 FAM Chapter 40 relates to visa ineligibilities and waivers. G
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Foreign Government Official

As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United States who has been accredited by a foreign government to function as an ambassador, public minister, car
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Foreign Information Media Representative

As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United States as a bona fide representative of foreign press, radio, film, or other foreign information media an
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Foreign State of Chargeability

The independent country to which an immigrant entering under the preference system is accredited. No more than 7 percent of the family-sponsored and employment-based visas may be issued
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Fourth Preference

From travel.state.gov A category of family immigration (F4) for brothers and sisters of American citizens and their spouses and children. The American citizen must be 21 years of age or
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Fraudulent Transfer

A transfer of a debtor's property made with intent to defraud or for which the debtor receives less than the transferred property's value.

Fresh Start

The characterization of a debtor's status after bankruptcy, i.e., free of most debts. (Giving debtors a fresh start is one purpose of the Bankruptcy Code.)

Full and Final Adoption

From travel.state.gov A legal adoption in which the child receives all the rights of a natural born, legitimate child.