Immigration enforcement is largely a function of the federal government and, as is often the case with government, special terms describe a byzantine world of programs and departments.
Here are a few key terms to help better understand ongoing and, likely, upcoming immigration enforcement actions:
Adjustment: The word refers to people granted lawful permanent residence when they were present in the United States. In 2022, California had 78,493 who qualified for such adjustments, among the most in the country, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Alien: A noncitizen.
Asylees: Noncitizens who are already in the United States or at a port of entry and are granted asylum. The United States has been granting asylum to persecuted people or people who have a well-founded fear of persecution, along with their immediate relatives. And, in 2022, California had 9,638 asylees, the most in the nation. The program is being targeted by the Trump administration in its crackdown on immigration.
Border Patrol sector: The Department of Homeland Security divides the nation into 20 geographic areas to conduct Border Patrol activities.
Custody: Both ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) can hold aliens in custody prior to a final ruling by a federal immigration judge.
Deportation: Removing an alien from the United States, usually sending them back to their country of origin.
Lawful Permanent Residents: Often known as “green card holders,” LPRs are noncitizens who have been granted the right to live permanently within the United States. In 2022, California had 182,921 legal permanent residents – green card holders – the fourth-highest ratio in the country, behind only New York, Massachusetts and Florida.
Naturalization: People not born in the United States who voluntarily became U.S. citizens. In 2022, California ranked first in the country in naturalizations, with 181,995
New arrival: People granted lawful permanent residence at the time they entered the U.S. after applying for an immigrant visa abroad. In 2022, California led the nation in new arrivals, with 104,428.
Nonimmigrant: People who get temporary admission into the United States. These include tourists, business travelers, students and temporary workers. Though the agency did not offer state numbers connected to nonimmigrants, the Department of Homeland Security said California ranked eighth in the country in 2022.
Parole: Permission to allow an alien to enter the United States because of an emergency, for humanitarian reasons or because their presence would be a public benefit.
Reasonable fear: People seeking to enter the United States can base their claim, if applicable, on their belief that they would persecuted or tortured in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular social group.
Refugee: The United States provides refugee status to persecuted people, or people who have a well-founded fear of persecution, along with their immediate relatives. In 2022 – the first year after Russia invaded Ukraine – California had 2,182 refugees, the most in the U.S. It’s unclear if refugees will continue to be admitted as the Trump administration clamps down on immigration.
Temporary Protected Status People who live in countries where their lives might be in danger for a variety of reasons, including war, crime or environmental disaster, can be granted TPS.