Acronyms & Abbreviations

The information contained herein is for reference only and may not be up to date. It does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter.


AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

AG

Attorney General

AO

Asylum Officer

BIA

Board of Immigration Appeals

ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

CAT

Convention Against Torture

DHS

Department of Homeland Security

EOIR

Executive Office for Immigration Review

FOIA

Freedom of Information Act

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

IH

Individual Hearing

IIRIRA

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act

IJ

Immigration Judge

INA

Immigration and Nationality Act

INS

Immigration and Naturalization Service

LGBTQ

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer

LGBTQ/H

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or HIV positive

LPR

Lawful Permanent Resident

MCH

Master Calendar Hearing

NIV

Non-immigrant Visa

NOID

Notice of Intent to Deny

NTA

Notice to Appear

PSG

Particular Social Group

SSA

Social Security Administration

TPS

Temporary Protected Status

UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

USC

United States Citizen

USCIS

United States Citizenship & Immigration Services

VAWA

Violence Against Women Act


The information contained herein is for reference only and may not be up to date. It does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter.

This handbook is intended for use by pro bono attorneys and immigration attorneys working on LGBTQ/HIV asylum cases.

Hotlines

If you are in detention, call:

(917) 654-9696 | M-W 9:30 - 5:30pm & Th 1:00 - 5:30pm

Calls from people outside of detention will not be accepted.

For general inquiries, call:

(212) 714-2904

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