Definitions
- Undocumented – Undocumented refers to students who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States, who do not hold a visa to reside in the U.S. and who have not applied for legal residency in the U.S. In many, but not all, cases the term non-citizen refers to undocumented students. Undocumented students are eligible to apply for and be admitted to UIC. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Mixed Status Family: Refers to students who either:
- Are undocumented but have family members that are Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) or U.S. Citizens, or
- Are LPRs or U.S. Citizens but have family members who are undocumented.
- International – The university considers any student who currently holds a visa of any type or is seeking a visa to be international. Even if you do not require a student (F or J) visa to attend UIC, you are viewed as an international applicant. Most policies which apply to those seeking student visas will apply to holders of other types of visas. Please visit international applicant requirements for additional information about admissions policies for international students, or the Office of International Services’ website for information on being an international student at UIC.
- Residency Status – Residency status refers to in-state or out-of-state residency for purposes of tuition assessment. Residents of the state of Illinois are assessed in-state tuition, and all other students are assessed out-of-state tuition. U.S. citizens, permanent residents and holders of certain types of visas may establish Illinois residency and qualify for in-state tuition provided certain conditions are met. Illinois passed a law in 2003, described as the Acevedo Bill or HB60 allowing for some undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition provided specific criteria are met.
- Non-Citizen – The non-citizen category applies to students who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States and who do not hold a valid visa or who are not seeking a visa for study or documentation for residency in the U.S.
- TPS: Temporary Protected Status is a humanitarian program established by congress to provide temporary protection to foreign immigrants whose countries are ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary condition.
- DREAMers: A term that originated from the DREAM Act Movement in 2010 to identified high-skilled undocumented immigrant youth. Although undocumented youth became known as “DREAMers,” not all identify as DREAMers and some who were part of the movement are now demanding that allies not use the term anymore.
- Dreamer Narrative: More recently, is been seen as a way to divide the immigrant community and focus solely on undocumented student who have a high GPA, are involved in extracurricular activities, and do not a criminal background.
- DACAmented: Refers to youth who are eligible and have applied and received the documentation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which was passed by President Obama in 2012 as an executive action allowing certain undocumented immigrants to be exempt from deportation for a period of two years as well as being able to work during this time.
- Dropping the I-Word: “Illegal” is a racially charged slur used to dehumanize and discriminate immigrants and people of color regardless of migratory status. The I-word is shorthand for “illegal alien,” illegal immigrant,” and other harmful terms.