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Glossary of Immigration Terms & Legal Terms Begining with R

Rank Order Number

From travel.state.gov The number that Kentucky Consular Center gives to the entries of DV Program (lottery) as the computer selects them. The first entries chosen have the lowest number
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Re-entry Permit

From travel.state.gov A travel document that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issues to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who wa
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Reaffirmation Agreement

An agreement by a debtor to continue paying a dischargeable debt after the bankruptcy, usually for the purpose of keeping collateral or mortgaged property that would otherwise be subjec
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Reasonable Fear Review

If an alien who is ordered removed during an expedited removal hearing expresses a fear of returning to his or her country, he or she must be given a reasonable fear interview by an asy
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Receipt Notice

From travel.state.gov A Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) form Notice of Action, I-797, which says that the DHS has received a peti
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Recission Hearing

An Immigration Judge conducts a withholding-only hearing to determine whether an alien who has been ordered removed is eligible for withholding of removal under the law or the Conventio
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Record

A written account of the proceedings in a case, including all pleadings, evidence, and exhibits submitted in the course of the case.

Redemption

A procedure in a Chapter 7 case whereby a debtor removes a secured creditor's lien on collateral by paying the creditor the value of the property. The debtor may then retain the pr
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Refugee

Any person who is outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. Persecutio
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Refugee Approval

The number of refugees approved for admission to the United States during a fiscal year.

Refugee Arrival

The number of refugees admitted to the United States through ports of entry during a fiscal year.

Refugee Authorized Admission

The maximum number of refugees allowed to enter the United States in a given fiscal year. As set forth in the Refugee Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-212) the President determines the annual
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Refugee-Parolee

A qualified applicant for conditional entry, between February 1970 and April 1980, whose application for admission to the United States could not be approved because of inadequate numbe
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Regional Office

The three USCIS Regional Offices that supervise the work of USCIS Districts. The Regional Directors report to the Associate Director for Domestic Operations in USCIS Headquarters, Washi
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Registry Date

Aliens who have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 1972, are of good moral character, and are not inadmissible, are eligible to adjust to legal permanent residen
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Remand

Send back.

Removal

The expulsion of an alien from the United States. This expulsion may be based on grounds of inadmissibility or deportability.

Removal Hearing

Removal hearings are conducted to determine whether certain aliens are subject to removal from the country. Beginning April 1, 1997, the distinction between exclusion and deportation pr
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Removal Proceeding

A formal procedure executed in front of an immigration judge to have an alien forcibly removed from the United States. Immigration Judges conduct removal proceedings, which account for
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Required Departure

A situation in which an alien must leave the country voluntarily (voluntary departure) or face forced removal (deporation)

Resettlement

Permanent relocation of refugees in a place outside their country of origin to allow them to establish residence and become productive members of society there. Refugee resettlement is
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Resident Alien

Applies to non-U.S. citizens currently residing in the United States. The term is applied in three different manners; please see Permanent Resident, Conditional Resident, and Returning
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Retrogression

From travel.state.gov Sometimes a case that is current one month will not be current the next month. This occurs when the annual numerical limit has been reached. This usually happens n
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Returning Resident

Any Lawful Permanent Resident who has been outside the United States and is returning to the U.S. Also defined as a "special immigrant." If outside of the U.S. for more than 180 days, m
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Returning Residents

From travel.state.gov Lawful permanent residents who want to return to the United States after staying abroad more than one year or beyond the expiration of their re-entry permits.

Revalidation or Renewal of a Visa

From travel.state.gov Nonimmigrant visa applicants who currently have a visa, and are seeking renewal or revalidation of their visa for future travel to the U.S. must apply abroad, gene
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Reverse

The act of a court setting aside the decision of a lower court. A reversal is often accompanied by a remand to the lower court for further proceedings.

Revocation of a Visa

From travel.state.gov Cancellation of a visa. The visa is no longer good (valid) for travel to the United States.