Legal Immigration System in a Nutshell

U.S. Immigration law provides several categories for non-U.S. citizens, referred to as "aliens," to achieve lawful status in the U.S. There are several temporary categories, under which the aliens are referred to as "nonimmigrants." In addition, there are several ways for an alien to achieve lawful permanent residence status, colloquially referred to as "green card" status.

• Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Classifications
• Legal Immigrants
• Family Immigrants
• Business Immigrants
• Refugees/Asylees
• Registry
• Cancellation of Removal
• Diversity ("Lottery") Immigrant Visas
• Amnesty and Related Programs
• Private Bill by Congress person or Senator
• Immigration for the Best and the Brightest
• Nonimmigrant Visa Categories