Unlocking Immigration: 10 Key Terms to Navigate the Migrant Debate and Understand ICE

In a bold move, President Donald Trump initiated sweeping changes to the United States immigration policy on January 20, 2025. Signing multiple executive orders, Trump aimed to halt the entry of refugees and bar immigrants from seeking asylum at U.S. borders, among other restrictive measures.

Another controversial order directed federal agencies to deny issuance of passports, birth certificates, and Social Security numbers to children born in the U.S. to unauthorized immigrant parents. This attempt to challenge established birthright citizenship, guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, led to lawsuits from eighteen states just a day after the orders were signed.

Immigration experts emphasize the significance of understanding key terminology related to migration. Here are ten essential terms that clarify the complexities of immigration:

1. Migrant

A migrant is any individual who relocates from their birthplace to a different location. Various terms apply based on circumstances, such as “internally displaced persons” who move within their own nation due to violence or natural disasters. Meanwhile, international migrants cross borders, often lacking legal permission. Notably, between 30% and 60% of migrants eventually return home.

2. Immigrants

Immigrants formally settle in another country and have a spectrum of legal statuses. In the U.S., they might hold a green card which allows them to live and work legally. There are also specific visas, such as the T visa for trafficking victims or the H-1B for specialized workers.

3. Undocumented Immigrants

This term refers to individuals residing in the U.S. without proper legal documentation, which includes visa overstays. Many contribute to the economy despite their status; in 2022, undocumented immigrants collectively spent over $254 billion.

4. Asylum Seekers

Asylum seekers request protection upon arriving at U.S. borders, citing fears of persecution in their home countries. They remain in the U.S. temporarily while their cases are processed, which can take years.

5. Refugees

Refugees apply for resettlement while still abroad to escape dangerous conditions. Once in the U.S., they can work immediately and apply for a green card after one year. Research indicates that refugees contribute positively to the economy.

6. Unaccompanied Children

These minors enter the U.S. without a parent or guardian and can apply for legal status, often relying on relatives already in the country for support.

7. Family Separation

This term highlights the policy of detaching detained migrant parents from their children, which grew prominent during the Trump administration. Thousands of children remain unaccounted for even as reunification efforts continue.

8. Immigration Detention

Immigrants without legal authorization may be apprehended and placed in detention centers reminiscent of prisons. These facilities often subject individuals to harsh conditions before their cases are processed or they are deported.

9. Coyote

Coyotes are guides hired by migrants to facilitate illegal crossings into the U.S. The business has become riskier and more expensive due to tightened border security.

10. The Alphabet Soup of Government Agencies

The U.S. immigration enforcement landscape involves various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Each plays a distinct role in managing immigration processes and border security.