Cultural Orientation Glossary Arabic
Table of Contents
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COMMUNITY SERVICES/ YOUR NEW COMMUNITY ...........................................................................................................................................14
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NEWCOMER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES .....................................................................................................................................................33
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DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND LITERACY .................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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Cultural Orientation Glossary - Arabic
Definition
KEY
INSTITUTIONS/INSTITUTIONAL
TERMS
The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and
Migration (PRM) promotes U.S. interests by
providing protection, easing suffering, and
resolving the plight of persecuted and forcibly
displaced people around the world.
A governmental law enforcement agency in
many states of the United States responsible for
providing child protection, which includes
responding to reports of child abuse or neglect.
Community Partner
The term community partner refers
to organizations or individuals outside of the
local resettlement agency that support
newcomers, including but not limited to public
safety workers, public assistance workers,
educators, and healthcare professionals.
The term sponsor refers to community groups
that provide direct resettlement services and
financial support to newcomers as they resettle
into their new communities. These groups may
sponsor newcomers in collaboration with
Resettlement Agencies, through the Sponsor
Circle Program, or through private sponsorship
groups, as a part of the Welcome Corps
program.
Community sponsor
Community groups that provide direct
resettlement services and financial support to
newcomers as they resettle into their new
communities. These groups may sponsor
newcomers in collaboration with Resettlement
Agencies, through the Sponsor Circle Program,
or through private sponsorship groups, as a part
of the Welcome Corps program.
The United States Department of Health &
Human Services (HHS), also known as the Health
Department, is a cabinet-level executive
branch department of the U.S. federal
government with the goal of protecting
the health of all Americans and providing
essential human services.
The United States Department of Homeland
Security is a cabinet department of the U.S.
federal government with responsibilities in
public security, roughly comparable to the
interior or home ministries of other countries.
The United States Department of State,
commonly referred to as the State Department,
is a federal executive department responsible for
carrying out U.S. foreign policy and international
relations.
The International Organization for Migration is
an intergovernmental organization that provides
services and advice concerning migration to
governments and migrants, including internally
displaced persons, refugees, and migrant
workers.
Nonprofit organization
An organization that is established on
community, national, and international levels to
serve social or political goals such as
humanitarian, health, education, human rights,
or environmental causes.
The mission and purpose of the ORR is to assist
in the relocation process and provide needed
services to individuals granted asylum within the
United States.
The program of the Department of State that
provides newly arrived refugees with the
essential services and support needed to begin
resettlement in a new community.
Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration administers
retirement, disability, survivor, and family
benefits, and enrolls individuals in Medicare. It
also provides Social Security Numbers, which are
unique identifiers needed to work, handle
financial transactions, and determine eligibility
for certain government services.
The United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency
with the mandate to protect refugees, forcibly
displaced communities and stateless people, and
assist in their voluntary repatriation, local
integration or resettlement to a third country.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is an
agency of the United States Department of
Homeland Security that administers the
country's naturalization and immigration system.
The Agency is charged with regulating and
facilitating international trade, collecting import
duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including
trade, customs, and immigration. CBP is one of
the largest law enforcement agencies in the
United States
A consortium of federal agencies
and nonprofit organizations collaborating
overseas and domestically to identify and admit
qualified refugees for resettlement into
the United States.
A gate at the airport where passengers can embark
or disembark.
Baggage Allowance
The number of bags a passenger may travel with.
The area in an airport where arriving passengers
collect luggage
A document provided by an airline during check-in,
giving a passenger permission to board a plane
An inspection by Customs and Border Protection
officers upon entering the U.S.
Conditioned air is pumped into the cabin of an
aircraft or spacecraft, in order to create a safe and
comfortable environment for passengers and crew
flying at high altitudes.
Carry-on Bag
A bag a passenger chooses to take on the plane
with them. This bag size and weight must adhere
to airline regulations.
The process whereby passengers are accepted by
an airline at the airport prior to travel.
Check-In Bag
The bag that is checked and sent to the cargo hold
of the plane.
A form that lists the goods that are being imported
or exported when a citizen or visitor enters a
country.
A moving staircase transferring people between
the floors of a public building.
A document giving authorization to leave a
particular country.
Flight Attendant/cabin crew
A flight attendant is a member of the aircrew
aboard commercial flights. Collectively called
passenger safety and comfort.
Form I-94
Form I-94 is the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) arrival/departure record, which is
electronically issued to travelers who are admitted
to the United States, adjusting status while in the
United States, or extending their status.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has
automated the I-94 at all ports of entry and the
paper form is no longer provided. If travelers need
I-94
a copy of their I-94, one can be obtained here:
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search
Drugs which are controlled or restricted by law and
which a person is not allowed to own or use.
Immigration Officers
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel
admissibility
based on the requirements of the U.S. immigration
law.
The procedures one undergoes when entering the
U.S.
A place in a public building where you can go to get
information.
Allows the holder to drive a private vehicle in any
country or jurisdiction that recognizes the
document.
IOM Boarding letter
A letter confirming that the individuals mentioned
in it will be transported to and within the United
States without liabilities under section 273(b).
IOM document Bag
resettlement documents. The bag is provided to
the clients upon departure to their resettlement
destination.
IOM Escort
An IOM representative who welcomes the clients
upon arrival to the resettlement destination.
Extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by
a person after a long flight across several time
zones.
Layover
A period of waiting between separate flights
passengers disembark from one flight and wait in
the terminal for the next flight to their destination.
A device at an airport that delivers luggage to the
passengers at the baggage claim area.
A designated place where people meet.
Metal detector
An electronic device that gives a signal when it is
close to metal. Metal detectors can be found at
airports and are meant to assist in detecting
weapons.
Plane ticket
A document or electronic record that proves that a
person is entitled to a seat on a flight.
An airport or border crossing where people may
enter a country.
The first step in the USRAP process is a
prescreening interview with a Resettlement
Support Center, or RSC.
A document in which one party promises to pay
back a loan.
Refugee Travel Document (form I-
131)
A document issued by USCIS to refugees resettled
in the U.S. The document allows refugees to travel
abroad.
A center that helps refugees apply for resettlement
to the United States. RSCs also manage pre-
departure activities, such as Cultural Orientation.
A verification of the identity of someone in order
to maintain security.
Official government permission for someone to
proceed with the immigration process.
A loan given to a refugee to enable them to travel
to the U.S.
Booster seat/baby car seat
An extra seat or cushion is placed on an existing
seat in a car for a small child to sit on. The seat is
designed to protect children from injury or death.
Bus station
A location from which you can take a bus to
different destinations in your city or in other cities.
Bust stop/bus shelter
A designated location where a bus regularly stops
along its route. The bus stop is usually marked by a
sign and may sometimes have a bus shelter and a
bench.
A contract between you and the insurance
company that protects you against financial loss in
the event of an accident or theft.
An arrangement among a group of car owners
where each owner in turn drives the others to and
from a designated place.
The registration of a motor vehicle with a local
government authority to establish a link between a
vehicle and an owner or user of the vehicle.
A marked part of a road where pedestrians have
right of way to cross.
A government agency that administers vehicle
registration and driver licensing.
An official document in the form of a plastic card,
which permits an individual to operate one or
more types of motorized vehicles, such as
a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road.
Driver's Permit/Learner's Permit
A learner's permit allows a new driver to begin the
learning process of operating a motor
vehicle. Applicants must obtain a valid learner's
permit before actual driver education training and
driving on roads. Minimum age and other
restrictions differ from state to state. A permit is
An official test of driving competence which must
be passed in order to get a driver's license. This
test includes the knowledge test.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) /
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
The act or crime of driving a vehicle while affected
by alcohol or drugs.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)
lane/Carpool Lane
One or more lanes of a roadway that have
restrictions on use to encourage ride-sharing. Rules
for these lanes vary and they are usually open to
vehicles carrying two or more people. The goal of
HOV lanes is to provide an incentive to use ride-
sharing and public transportation, remove
(HOV)
congestion from normal lanes of travel, and
improve overall traffic operations.
Crossing or walking in the street or road unlawfully
or without regard for approaching traffic.
A card used to pay fares on subways and/or buses.
Buses, trains, subways, and other forms of
transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed
routes, and are available to the public.
Wallet-sized, state-issued card to be routinely
carried and used to verify the identity of holders
An arrangement in which passengers use a mobile
phone app and pay a fare to obtain rides from
drivers of privately owned vehicles.
A belt securing a person to prevent injury,
especially in a vehicle or a plane.
The illegal act of using a mobile phone to send text
messages (SMS) while driving a car.
Vehicle registration
States use registrations to determine vehicle
ownership and provide data when tracking criminal
activity or assessing taxes. A registration certificate
and license plates are issued after paying a fee. A
vehicle's registration certificate is essential and
must be on hand whenever the driver is operating
the vehicle.
An individual at a social service agency who helps
refugees get the services they need.
The process of learning about life in the United
States. The process begins overseas and continues
in the United States.
An employee of a resettlement agency assisting
refugees in how to find suitable employment and
access job training opportunities.
A voucher issued by the government to those on
low income, exchangeable for food.
Home visits
A home visit is a meeting with the caseworker,
well-being and adjustment to life in the U.S.
(accessing grocery stores, using home appliances,
etc.)
A process of introducing a refugee to his/her
apartment, its appliances, and the procedures of
the apartment building.
Intake
An intake meeting is the first meeting between a
case manager and a refugee, where the case
manager receives the relevant information about
A service that provides interpreters for refugees.
Assistance in looking for employment and job
training opportunities.
Medical check-up/health screening
A physical examination which includes a variety of
tests depending on the age, sex, and health of the
person.
The process of expense tracking, investing,
budgeting, banking and evaluating taxes.
Non-governmental Agency
Organizations independent of governments that are
active in humanitarian, educational, healthcare,
human rights, and other areas to effect changes
according to their objectives.
A one-time sum per refugee to assist with meeting
United States. R&P money is spent on behalf of
clients and they may not get the full amount. The
amount of pocket money may differ slightly based
on the resettlement location.
The process of settling permanently in a country.
An agency that delivers the basic Reception and
Placement services that refugees receive. The
agency may offer additional services.
Refers to the set of freedoms and duties that apply
to refugees admitted to the USRAP, as well as to
the freedoms and duties that apply to every person
living in the U.S.
Self-sufficiency
Being able to supply one's own needs without
external assistance.
The process of becoming familiar with the public
transportation services in your community with the
help of the resettlement agency.
A child who has been separated from both parents
and other relatives and is not being cared for by an
adult.
Training that emphasizes skills and knowledge
required for a particular job or a trade.
Volunteers
RAs utilize individuals who freely give their time to
support the resettlement process of refugees in the
U.S.
COMMUNITY SERVICES/
YOUR NEW COMMUNITY
Assisted Living
Facilities that provide a group living environment
and typically cater to the older adult population.
Eligibility changes from state to state.
Assistance to low-income families who need child
care due to work, work-related training and/or
attending school.
Community services are the services, assistance,
goods, and resources available to people in their
communities. These services may be provided free
of charge or at a very low cost by the government,
community-based organizations, or religious
organizations.
Daycare center/childcare center
An institution that provides supervision and care of
infants and young children during the daytime, to
allow their parents to go to work.
Ethnic Community-Based
Organizations (ECBOs)
Local organizations founded by former refugees
and immigrants that provide services and
assistance to newcomers from their countries of
origin in their communities.
An organization whose values and mission are
based on faith and/or beliefs.
Foodbank
A foodbank is a non-profit that stores large
amounts of food that are delivered to local food
programs, such as food pantries. The food in the
food bank is donated by local neighbors, retailers,
grocery stores, and restaurants.
Food Pantry
A food pantry is a distribution center where
families in need can receive food.
Grocery store
A store that sells food, cleaning supplies, and
beverages. In the U.S. 'grocery store' is often used
to mean 'supermarket'.
A self-service laundry facility.
A building housing books and other resources
available to its members sometimes offering
services, such as English classes or childcare, and
free computer access.
Financial help in time of sickness, old age, or
unemployment.
Matching Grant (MG) Program
The Matching Grant program helps refugees to
quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to
become economically self-sufficient through
employment within 8 months and without accessing
cash assistance programs. The program is a
public/private partnership enabling communities to
become directly involved in supporting refugees
through donations, volunteer support, and
mentorship.
(MG)
A government program that provides temporary
financial assistance for single and married refugees
without dependent children.
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
Refugees in need, who meet the income and
resource eligibility standards, are eligible to receive
refugee medical assistance (RMA) through the
refugee program during their first eight months in
the US. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
provides funding for a broad range of social services
to refugees, both through states and in some cases
through direct service grants.
Refugee Support Services (RSS)
Refugee Support Services funding helps refugees and
other ORR populations gain economic independence
by helping them find and maintain employment,
preferably within a year of being enrolled in the
program.
(RSS)
Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI)
The SSDI program pays benefits if a person is
recently enough, and paid Social Security taxes on
their earnings.
(SSDI)
Social Security number
A nine-digit number issued to U.S.
citizens, permanent residents, and temporary
(working) residents. The number is issued to an
individual by the Social Security Administration. The
Social Security number has become a de
facto national identification number for taxation and
other purposes. It is useful and important to
memorize this number.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) (Formerly the Food
Stamp Program)
A government program that helps low-income
families pay for food.
A benefit to people with limited income and
resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or
older.
A government program that provides temporary
financial assistance for parents with
dependent children.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC)
Federal grants to States for supplemental food,
health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-
income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-
breastfeeding, postpartum women, and to infants
and children up to age five who are found to be at
nutritional risk.
Appliances
A device or piece of equipment designed to
perform a specific task, typically a domestic one.
An example of an appliance is a fridge, a stove, or
washing machine.
Money owed for goods supplied or services
rendered.
Co-signer
A co-signer is a person who signs the lease along
with another tenant to guarantee financial
responsibility to the landlord.
Maintaining the apartment or home by cleaning
and paying the bills.
The owner of a house, apartment, condominium,
land or real estate which is rented or leased to an
individual or business.
A contract outlining the terms under which one
party agrees to rent property owned by another
party.
Leasing office
The office that a property manager works in and
where you can find leases, maintenance requests,
etc. The leasing office is also where a resident can
go if they have any issues with rent or are in need
of other services for their units.
Maintenance request
A request for services in your apartment
plumbing, electricity, broken door or window, etc.
A company that manages a property, such as an
apartment building.
A legal agreement by which a bank or other
creditor lends money at interest in exchange for
taking title of the debtor's property.
An official note informing a tenant of their
removal from rental property by the landlord.
Property Manager
A property manager is an individual or a company
that is hired to oversee the day-to-day operations
of real estate properties.
A tenant's regular payment to a landlord for the
use of property or land.
An insurance that protects against losses to the
tenant's personal property within the rented
property.
Security Deposit
A sum of money paid by renters to cover any
possible loss or damage to the property.
Sublease/sublet
A sublease is the re-renting of property by an
existing tenant to a new third party for a portion
lease contract. The
sublease agreement may also be called a sublet.
Subleasing may or may not be permitted under
the terms of the original lease and may be subject
to additional restrictions by jurisdiction. Even if a
sublease is permitted, the original tenant is still
liable for the obligations stated in the lease
agreement, such as the payment of rent each
month.
A person who rents property from a landlord.
Entering land or property without permission.
A service such as electricity, gas, or water
provided by a public utility company, for which
one must pay a monthly bill.
Zip code
A zip code is a postal code used by the United
States Postal Service. It is added to a postal
address to assist with the sorting of mail.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of
tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes
like increased blood pressure.
Booster shot
A booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine
that is given after the protection provided by the
original shot has begun to decrease over time.
This plan provides medical coverage for
individuals under age 19 whose parents earn too
much income to qualify for Medicaid, but not
enough to pay for private coverage.
Provide basic health services and health
counseling. Some provide dental care and eye
examinations.
The right of an individual to have personal,
identifiable medical information kept private.
Copay
A copay is a fixed amount you pay for a health
care service, usually when you receive the service.
The amount can vary by the type of service.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-
CoV-2. The virus spreads mainly from person to
person through respiratory droplets and small
particles produced when an infected person
coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Deductible
The amount you pay for covered health care
services before your insurance plan starts to pay.
Disability
A physical or mental condition that limits a
person's movements, senses, or activities.
Depression
Depression is a common and serious medical
illness that negatively affects how you feel, the
way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is
also treatable. Depression causes feelings of
sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you
once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional
and physical problems and can decrease your
ability to function at work and at home.
The department of a hospital that provides
immediate treatment for acute illnesses and
trauma.
Family planning allows people to attain their
desired number of children and determine the
spacing of pregnancies.
Insurance coverage that pays for medical and
surgical expenses.
The process whereby a person is made immune or
resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the
administration of a vaccine.
A comprehensive timeline of all vaccinations a
patient has received.
A government program that
provides health insurance coverage to
low-income people who qualify.
Medical Screening
Medical Screenings can happen overseas and
domestically and are intended to ensure that
refugees meet the medical requirements for
entering the United States, are fit to travel,
receive appropriate medical assistance when
required, and do not pose a hazard to other
travelers. The Medical Screening includes:
• An assessment of conditions of public
health significance
• Identification of health conditions
requiring additional arrangements at pre-
departure, travel, and post-arrival phases
of resettlement
•
and medical escorts, when required.
A government program that provides health
insurance coverage to people over the age of 65,
and people under 65 with certain disabilities.
Mental health is an important part of overall
health and well-being. Mental health includes our
emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It
affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps
determine how we handle stress, relate to others,
and make healthy choices. Mental health is
important at every stage of life, from childhood
and adolescence through adulthood.
Medication that is sold without a prescription.
Maintaining cleanliness of one's body and clothing
to preserve overall health and well-being.
Pharmacy
A store where medical drugs are dispensed and
stored.
The cost an insurer pays for his or her insurance
coverage.
Drugs you can only get with a doctor's
prescription.
The care you receive to prevent illnesses or
diseases. Also includes counseling to prevent
health problems.
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
A primary care physician (PCP) is a physician who
provides both the first contact for a person with
an undiagnosed health concern as well as
continuing care of varied medical conditions.
(PCP)
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a
psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who
have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event,
series of events, or set of circumstances. An
individual may experience this as emotionally or
physically harmful or life-threatening and may
affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual
well-being.
PTSD)
A local, state, or federal government agency that
provides immunizations against diseases and
offers other preventive health services, including
testing and treatment for tuberculosis and other
communicable diseases, usually at a low cost or
free of charge.
Quarantine
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement
of people who were exposed to a contagious
disease to see if they become sick.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) /
Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Diseases or infections that can be transmitted by
direct sexual contact.
Specialist
A doctor or other health care professional who is
trained and licensed in a special area of practice.
These clinics are for situations where you have an
illness or injury that needs immediate care, but is
not serious enough for a visit to the emergency
room.
A post-secondary, higher education institution that
provides workforce education and college transfer
academic programs.
Degree evaluation (Credential
evaluation)
A process by which academic and professional
degrees earned in one country are compared to
those earned in another. Newcomers can use
credential evaluations to gain recognition for study
completed outside the country they are
immigrating to, and in doing so join the workforce
as skilled immigrants.
Elementary School
A school that provides the first part of a child's
education, usually for children between five and
eleven years old.
Study of the English language by non-native
speakers in an English-speaking environment.
Extra-curricular activities/After-
school programs
Optional, school-sponsored programs for students
that occur outside of regular classroom learning
including sports, clubs, and other social events.
Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a
form completed by current and prospective college
students (both undergraduate and graduate) in
the United States to determine their eligibility
for student financial aid.
(FAFSA)
Financial Aid
Financial aid is money to help pay for college or
career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and
scholarships help make college or career school
affordable.
A group of four subject tests which certify that the
test taker has United States high school-level
academic skills. It serves as an alternative to the
U.S. high school diploma.
High School
A school that typically comprises grades 9-12,
attended after elementary school or junior high.
Junior High School (Middle School)
An educational stage between elementary
school and high school. It spans varying
combinations of grades 68, most commonly.
Parent-Teacher meetings
A short meeting or conference between the
parents and teachers of students to discuss a
child's progress at school.
Post-Secondary Education (Tertiary
Education)
Post-Secondary Education refers to public and
private universities, colleges, technical training
institutes, and vocational schools.
Preschool
A preschool (also known as nursery school, pre-
primary school, or play school, or creche) is
an educational establishment offering early
childhood education to children before they
begin compulsory education at primary school.
Public Education
A primary or secondary school that educates all
students without charge. Such schools are funded
in whole or in part by taxation.
Private Education
Any school for which the facilities and funding are
not provided by the federal, state or local
government.
The process of renewing a professional
certification by taking classes or courses.
Report card
A report card communicates a student's
performance academically. A typical report card
uses a grading scale to determine the quality of a
student's schoolwork.
A grant or payment made to support a student's
education, awarded on the basis of academic or
other achievement
An examination used by colleges and universities
as part of their admissions decision-making
process. The SAT tests a student's abilities in the
areas of critical reading, writing and mathematics.
The act of registering a student in school.
Student Loan
A student loan is a type of loan designed to help
students pay for post-secondary education and the
associated fees, such as tuition, books and
supplies, and living expenses.
A learning institution that provides specialized
training in a specific career field, trade, or
profession.
Tuition
Tuition payments are fees charged by educational
institutions for instruction or other services.
An institution of higher education and research
which awards academic degrees in various
academic disciplines.
A written or online form submitted to a potential
employer providing the name, contact information,
and employment history of the job seeker.
Prejudicial treatment of different categories of
people, especially on the grounds of race, age,
gender, or sex.
A document issued by USCIS that allows foreign
nationals to work in the U.S.
Employee benefits
Employee benefits in the United States may
include health insurance, vision, and dental plans,
retirement benefit plans
(pension, 401(k), 403(b)), life insurance, long-term
care insurance plans, etc.
Support provided to job seekers to help them find
and apply for jobs or to succeed at a new job.
Entry-level/unskilled labor job
A job that does not require prior experience in the
field.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that was
established via the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to
administer and enforce civil rights laws
against The EEOC
investigates discrimination complaints based on an
individual's race, color, national origin, religion, sex
(including sexual orientation, pregnancy, and
gender identity), age, disability, genetic
(EEOC)
information, and retaliation for participating in a
discrimination complaint proceeding and/or
opposing a discriminatory practice.
https://www.eeoc.gov/overview
Full-time Job
Employment in which a person works a minimum
number of hours as defined by the employer,
usually about 40 hours per week. Full-time
employment often comes with benefits, such as
annual leave, sick leave, and health insurance.
A sign posted by employers or phrase used in
advertisements indicating an employment vacancy.
Work that is not performed for an official employer
and which is usually untaxed and unregulated.
A conversation between a job applicant and an
employer which assesses whether the applicant
should be hired.
Job offer
An offer of employment to an individual.
The government-issued credentials required by law
to work in certain professions.
The lowest wage that employers can legally pay
their workers.
The action or process of interacting with others to
exchange information and develop professional or
social contacts.
Written or verbal communication from a departing
employee to an employer indicating when he or
she will quit, usually required two weeks prior to
the last day of work.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
An employer-provided benefit in which the
employer compensates employees during their
absence from work. Employees use PTO for a
variety of reasons, such as sick time, vacations, and
personal appointments.
(PTO)
Part-time Job
A form of employment that carries fewer hours per
week than a full-time job. Workers are usually
considered to be part-time if they work fewer than
30 hours per week. Part-time employment may not
come with the benefits of a full-time job such as
annual leave, sick leave, and health insurance.
Pay card
A pay card is similar to a debit card it is a plastic
card that has been loaded with an employee's
wages on payday. A pay card can be used to pay an
employee who does not have a bank account. The
pay card can be used by the employee to obtain
cash and/or pay monthly expenses up to the limit
of their wages. A pay card is not a ubiquitous form
of payment.
A check for salary or wages made out to an
employee.
Pay Stub
A piece of paper or a digital record that is given to
an employee with each paycheck and that shows
the amount of money that the employee earned
and the amount that was deducted for taxes,
insurance costs, etc. It is important to keep pay
stubs as a record.
Being able arrive at an appointment or place of
work, or being able to complete a required task or
fulfill an obligation before or at a previously
designated time.
A document created and used by a person to
present their background, skills, and
accomplishments to secure new employment.
Self-employment
Working for oneself as a freelancer or the owner of
a business rather than for an employer.
Any worker who has special skill, training,
knowledge, and (usually acquired) ability in their
work. A skilled worker may have attended a
college, university, or technical school. Or a skilled
worker may have learned their skills on the job.
Movement from one financial level to a higher one
as by changing jobs.
Legal and human rights relating to labor relations
between workers and employers, codified in
national and international labor and employment
law. In general, these rights influence working
conditions in relations of employment.
NEWCOMER RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Address change
of Address (AR-11)
A form non-citizens must fill out and submit to
their when there's a change in their address.
A recognized reason for immigration in many
countries because of the presence of one or more
family members in a certain country, therefore,
enabling the rest of the divided family or specific
members of the family to immigrate to that
country as well.
The individual right to peacefully assemble,
collectively express, and petition the government
for redress of grievances guaranteed by the First
Amendment to the US Constitution.
The right to practice whatever religion one chooses
or to practice no religion
The right to express any opinions without
censorship or restraint (excepting hate speech and
slander)
Recycling
Recycling is the process of converting
waste materials into new materials and objects.
Domestic recycling is slightly different from state
to state, but you may recycle paper, plastic, and
glass in dedicated bins provided by the county and
located outside your home.
The right to a fair trial
A trial that is conducted fairly, justly, and with
procedural regularity by an impartial judge and in
which the defendant is afforded his or her rights
under the U.S. Constitution or the appropriate
state constitution or other law.
Selective Service
An independent agency of the United States
government that maintains information on those
potentially subject to military conscription (i.e. the
draft). All male U.S. citizens and male immigrant
non-citizens, who are between the ages of 18 and
25 are required by law to have registered within 30
days of their 18th birthday.
The right to express one's political opinion by
casting a ballot in favor of one candidate in an
official election.
The age at which a person is considered to be
legally competent to consent to marriage, sexual
acts, and other legally binding decisions.
Causing harm or suffering to animals.
Terms for informal work which emphasize the
secretive intention of avoiding taxes or government
oversight.
Giving or receiving something of value in exchange
for some kind of influence or action in return.
Ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for
the financial benefit of a child (paid to another
parent, caregiver, guardian, or state) following the
end of a marriage or other relationship.
The status of being a citizen of a particular country.
The removal of a person or group of people from a
place or country.
Domestic violence/Domestic abuse
Domestic violence is illegal in the U.S. Assaulting or
hurting a family member is called domestic violence
or domestic abuse. The definition includes:
• Yelling at and ridiculing a person.
• Withholding money for basic needs.
• Forcing a person to engage in sexual
relations.
• Threatening to harm or hurt someone or
their relatives.
Controlling what someone does, where they go, or
whom they spend time with.
The body of law consisting of the U.S. Constitution,
federal statutes and regulations, U.S. treaties, and
federal common law. The Federal law is the
supreme law in US and overrides state law
whenever there is a conflict.
Felony
A crime that is punishable by more than one year
in prison. In much of the United States, all or most
felonies are placed into one of various classes
according to their seriousness and their potential
punishment upon conviction. The number of
classifications and the corresponding crimes vary by
state and are determined by the legislature.
A regulatory or legal mechanism to control fishing.
Licensing is one way of managing fisheries and may
be required for commercial, recreational, or
personal fishing.
A non-citizen who has been granted authorization
to live and work in the United States on a
permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person
is granted a permanent resident card, commonly
called a green card.
Local, state, or federal laws aimed at restricting or
regulating the sale, purchase, or possession of
firearms through licensing, registration, or
identification requirements.
Humanitarian Parole
Parole allows an individual who may be ineligible
for admission into the United States to be in the
United States for a temporary period for urgent
humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
A hunting license is a regulatory or legal mechanism
to control hunting.
A person who comes to live permanently in a
foreign country.
A bureau of the Department of Treasury that is
tasked with the enforcement of income tax laws
and oversees the collection of federal income taxes.
Litter is trash improperly placed so as to be a
nuisance or health concern.
Local laws refer to the laws which are unique to
each city, county, or local government.
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is typically a crime punishable by
less than 12 months in jail. Community service,
probation, fines, and imprisonment for less than a
year are commonly issued punishments for
misdemeanors.
The legal act or process by which a non-citizen in a
country may acquire citizenship or nationality of
that country.
Parole/parolee
USCIS uses its discretion to authorize parole. Parole
allows an individual, who may be inadmissible or
otherwise ineligible for admission into the United
States, to be paroled into the United States for a
temporary period. The Immigration and Nationality
Act (INA) allows the secretary of homeland security
to use their discretion to parole any noncitizen
applying for admission into the United States
temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or
significant public benefit. For more information
Any intentional act causing injury or trauma to
another person or animal by way of bodily contact.
The practice or custom of having more than one
wife or husband at the same time. Polygamy is
illegal in all 50 states in the United States.
The main applicant in an application process.
Re-entry permit
A travel document similar to a certificate of
identity, issued by the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services to lawful permanent residents
in the U.S. to allow them to travel abroad and
return to the U.S.
A refugee as someone who "owing to well-founded
fear of being persecuted for reasons of race,
religion, nationality, membership of a particular
social group or political opinion, is outside the
country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to
such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the
protection of that country; or who, not having a
nationality and being outside the country of his
former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to
such fear, is unwilling to return to it.
https://emergency.unhcr.org/entry/55772/refugee-
definition
Same-sex relationship
A committed relationship between two persons of
the same sex.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a
sexual nature.
Theft of goods from an open retail establishment
A piece of paper containing unique nine-digit
number assigned by the Social Security
Administration and provided to every United States
citizen, permanent resident, or temporary working
resident.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)
This Special Immigrant Visa program is available to
persons who worked with the U.S. Armed Forces or
under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or
(SIV)
interpreter in Iraq or Afghanistan. For more
information
State law refers to the law of each separate U.S.
state.
Tax fraud occurs when an individual or business
entity willfully and intentionally falsifies
information on a tax return to limit the amount of
tax liability.
A compulsory contribution to state or federal
revenue, levied by the government on workers'
income and business profits, or added to the cost of
some goods, services, and transactions.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate
a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the
country that temporarily prevent the country's
nationals from returning safely, or in certain
circumstances, where the country is unable to
handle the return of its nationals adequately. USCIS
may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain
countries (or parts of countries), who are already in
the United States. Eligible individuals without
nationality who last resided in the designated
country may also be granted TPS.
A document that embodies the fundamental laws
and principles by which the United States is
governed. The supreme law of the United States of
America.
During the USRAP process, refugees can identify
friends or relatives in the United States with whom
they have a desire to be reunited upon arrival.
Once identified that individual is contacted by a
Resettlement Agency to verify the relationship and
confirm if they would like to have the refugee
resettled near them. If they agree, the individual is
considered a U.S. tie and will be contacted again by
the Resettlement Agency closer to the arrival of
their friend or relative to discuss the resettlement
process. A U.S. tie is not financially or legally
responsible for their friend or relative.
The act of illegally using state welfare systems by
knowingly withholding or giving information to
obtain more funds than would otherwise be
allocated.
The use of force, coercion, or threat, to abuse,
aggressively dominate or intimidate.
Physical, sexual, and/or psychological
maltreatment or neglect of a child or children,
especially by a parent or a caregiver.
Not meeting a child's basic needs, including the
failure to provide adequate health care,
supervision, clothing, nutrition, housing as well as
their physical, emotional, social, educational and
safety needs.
Cultural adaptation is the process and time it takes
a person to integrate into a new culture and feel
comfortable within it.
Culture Shock
Culture shock is an experience a person may have
when immigrating to a different cultural
environment. There are four phases of cultural
adjustment. The length and intensity of each phase
are different. Clients may experience the same
phase more than once or skip a phase.
Honeymoon phase – clients feel very excited and
happy about their life in their new country of
resettlement.
Culture shock phase – clients feel worried and
confused as they navigate a new and different
community.
Adjustment phase – clients feel more stable in
their new community and are comfortable with
everyday activities.
Mastery phase – clients feel more comfortable
with their new life and culture. They may still have
difficult periods, but they have a sense of
belonging.
The interactions, communication patterns, and
relationships between members of a family which
may change as part of adjustment to a new
culture.
Equal ease of access to resources and
opportunities regardless of gender, including
economic participation and decision-making; and
the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations
and needs equally, regardless of gender.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer, Intersex, Asexual, +(Plus)
(LGBTQIA+)
An abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer or questioning, intersex,
asexual, and more. These terms are used to
identity. For more information.
Lesbian: A woman who experiences sexual and/or
romantic attraction only or primarily to other
women.
Gay: A man who experiences sexual and/or
romantic attraction only or primarily to other men.
Bisexual: A person who experiences sexual and/or
romantic attraction to persons of the same and a
different sex or gender.
Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose
gender identity differs from societal expectations
of the sex they were assigned at birth.
Queer: A person whose sex, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity and/or gender
expression diverges from societal expectations.
(LGBTQIA+)
Intersex: A person born with reproductive or
sexual anatomy, physiology and/or chromosomal
patterns that do not fit conventional definitions of
male or female.
Asexual: A person who does not experience sexual
attraction.
+ (Plus): the
gender identities and sexual orientations
that letters and words cannot yet fully describe
Communication without the use of spoken
language. Nonverbal communication includes
gestures, facial expressions, and body positions
unspoken understandings and presuppositions,
and cultural and environmental conditions that
may affect any encounter between people.
A person trained in assisting others in
understanding and coping with challenging
psychological and emotional circumstances or
trauma.
Racism
The belief in the natural superiority of
one race over another. It manifests in
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against
others because they are of a different race
or ethnicity.
A place or environment in which a person or
category of people can feel confident that they will
not be exposed to discrimination, criticism,
harassment, or any other emotional or physical
harm.
A state of mental or emotional strain or tension
resulting from adverse or demanding
circumstances.
Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming
amount of stress that exceeds one's ability to cope,
or integrate the emotions involved with that
experience
The use of sounds and words to express oneself.
911
A telephone number intended for use in
emergency circumstances only to call for help from
the police or the fire department.
911
Carbon monoxide detector
A device that detects the presence of carbon
monoxide (CO) gas to prevent carbon monoxide
poisoning.
Emergency contact
A person such as a family member or friend who
should be contacted in case of an emergency.
Public organizations or government entities that
respond to and deal with emergencies when they
occur, especially those that provide police,
ambulance, and firefighting services.
An emergency service dedicated to responding to
unintentional, destructive fires
Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a handheld device usually
filled with a dry or wet chemical used to extinguish
or control small fires.
A contract between an insurance policy holder and
an insurer or assurer, where the insurer promises
to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money
(the benefit) in exchange for a premium, upon the
death of an insured person (often the policy
holder).
Paramedics / Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMTs)
A paramedic is a healthcare professional who
responds to emergency calls for medical help
outside of a hospital. Paramedics mainly work as
part of the emergency medical services (EMS),
most often in ambulances.
(EMTs)
An emergency service which handles crime and law
enforcement.
Poison Control
A medical service that provides immediate, free,
and expert treatment advice and assistance over
the phone in case of exposure to poisonous or
hazardous substances. Poison control centers
answer questions about potential poisons in
addition to providing treatment management
advice about household products, medicines,
pesticides, plants, bites and stings, food poisoning,
and fumes.
The American Association of Poison Control
Centers manages a 24-hour hotline (1-800-222-
1222), which is continuously staffed by
pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and poison
information specialists who have received
dedicated training in the field of toxicology. Calls to
the number are automatically routed to the poison
control center that covers the territory from which
the call is placed.
A fire-protection device that automatically detects
and gives a warning of the presence of smoke.
An electronic banking outlet that allows customers
to complete basic transactions without the aid of a
branch representative or teller. Anyone with a
credit card or debit card can access most ATMs.
A financial institution licensed to receive deposits
and make loans.
A comprehensive evaluation of an individual's
current pay and future financial state by using
current known variables to predict future income,
asset values and withdrawal plans.
Check
A check is a document that orders a bank to pay a
specific amount of money from a person's account
to the person in whose name the check has been
issued. A check may be used to pay expenses such
as utilities, rent, etc.
Checking Account
A checking account is a deposit account held at a
financial institution that allows
withdrawals and deposits. Also called demand
accounts or transactional accounts, checking
accounts are very liquid and can be accessed using
checks, automated teller machines (ATMs), and
electronic debits, among other methods. A
checking account differs from other bank accounts
in that it often allows for numerous withdrawals
and unlimited deposits, whereas savings
accounts sometimes limit both.
A contractual agreement in which a borrower
receives something of value now and agrees to
repay the lender at a later date, generally with
interest.
A payment card issued to users (card-holders) to
enable the card-holder to pay a merchant for
goods and services based on the card-holder's
promise to the card issuer to pay them for the
amounts plus the other agreed charges.
Credit history
A record of a borrower's repayment of debts.
Refugees typically will not have a credit history
upon arrival, but timely repayment of the IOM
travel loan can help build credit history.
Debit card
A payment card that can be used in place
of cash to make purchases. Unlike a credit card,
when using a debit card, the money must be in the
cardholder's bank account at the time of a
purchase and is immediately transferred directly
from that account to the merchant's account to
pay for the purchase.
Electronic payments / online
payments
Electronic or online payments allow you pay
expenses such as utilities online through the utility
Expenses
Expenses are costs associated with things such
purchasing food for your family, paying bills and
utilities, paying rent, maintaining a car, etc.
Income
Income refers to the money that a person or entity
receives in exchange for their labor or products.
PIN (Personal Identification Number)
A personal identification number (PIN) is a
numeric passcode used in the process of
authenticating a user accessing a system. Debit
cards, for example, have PINs that you must input
when using the card.
Savings account
A savings account is an interest-bearing deposit
account held at a bank or other financial
institution. Though these accounts typically pay a
modest interest rate, their safety and reliability
make them a great option for parking cash you
want available for short-term needs.
Wire Transfer
A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds via
a network that is administered by banks and
transfer service agencies around the world. Wire
transfers involve a sending and receiving
institution and require information from the party
initiating the transfer, such as the receiver's name
and account number.
Digital Technology and
Literacy
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal
computer designed for regular use at a stationary
location on a desk due to its size and power
requirements.
Download
Copying data from one computer system to
another, typically over the internet.
Email
A way to send and receive messages electronically
between devices connected to the Internet.
Laptop computer
A small, portable personal computer that can be
used anywhere and does not require a desk or a
workstation.
Meeting ID
The meeting number that is associated with a
Zoom meeting.
Mobile application
A mobile application or app is a computer
program or software application designed to run
on a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.
Mute/unmute
Mute the act of disabling the sound on a
computer or an application, such as Zoom, so that
reversing the mute function.
Password
A string of characters comprising letters and
numbers known only to the user, that allows
access to a computer system or service.
Scam/Fraud
Scam or Internet fraud is a type of deception that
makes use of the Internet and provides incorrect
information for the purpose of tricking victims to
provide money.
Security Questions
Security questions are a common method of
identity authentication. When creating an account
or signing up for a service online, users will
confidentially share the answers to secret
questions
Smartphone
A smartphone is a portable computer device that
combines mobile telephone functions and
computing functions into one unit.
Tablet
A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet,
is a mobile device with a touchscreen display.
Tablets function mostly like personal computers
and run mobile operating systems.
Text message/SMS
The service allows users to send and receive
messages between smartphones and other mobile
devices.
SMS
Username
An identification used by a person with access to a
computer, network, or online service.
Wi-Fi
A wireless networking technology that allows
devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets,
printers, etc., to connect to the Internet.
