| A | B |
|---|
| Angel Island | The site of the Federal Immigration Station that processed over 175,000 immigrants who crossed the Pacific Ocean. |
| assimilation | To absorb (immigrants or a culturally distinct group) into the prevailing culture |
| persecution | The act or practice of persecuting on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs that differ from those of the persecutor |
| asylum | Official permission to immigrate to a country based on protection from ideological, religious or political persecution. Such entrants are designated as political asylees |
| citizenship | Membership in the political structure of a country, usually the country of one's birth. Many countries legally allow immigrants citizenship (residence and rights) on a permanent basis |
| emigration | The act of leaving one's place of residence to live elsewhere. |
| family unification | Permission to immigrate or remain in a country based on the fact that immediate family members are citizens of that region |
| illegal alien/immigrants | An individual who remains in a nation beyond the limits of his or her legally granted time period, or an individual who enters a nation without permission. |
| immigration | The act of settling in a country, nation or region to which one is not native |
| migration | The movement of persons from one country or region to another |
| naturalization | The legal process by which citizenship is granted to a person. |
| permanent resident | An individual who is not a citizen but who legally resides in another nation on a permanent or extended basis |
| anti-immigrant movement | A national network of organizations have been working to end immigration in the country |
| immigration reform | Changes to the current immigration policy that typically refer to a wide spectrum of viewpoints which may include anti-illegal immigration, anti-immigration, and immigration reduction. |
| Ellis Island | The site of the Federal Immigration Station that processed over 12 million immigrants who entered the United States crossing the Atlantic. |
