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  • Glossary and Acronyms Page Title

     

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    A

     

    ACB -- Administrative Center Burlington
    ACD -- Administrative Center Dallas
    ACE -- Accelerated Citizen Examination
    ACL -- Administrative Center Laguna Niguel
    ACPA -- Assistant Chief Patrol Agent
    ACT -- Administrative Center Twin Cities
    ADD -- Assistant District Director
    ADDE -- Assistant District Director, Examinations
    ADDI -- Assistant District Director, Investigations
    ADDM -- Assistant District Director, Management
    ADIT -- Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication System
    ADP -- Automated Data Processing
    AFACS -- A-Files Accountability and Control System
    A File -- Basic Alien File (contains Alien #)
    AILA -- American Immigration Lawyers Association
    AM -- Administrative Manual
    AMIO -- Alien Migration Interdiction Operation
    AMIS -- Asset Management Information System
    ANI -- Automatic Number Identifier
    AO -- Administrative Officer
    AO -- Asylum Officer
    AOC -- Asylum Officer Corps
    AOIC -- Assistant Officer-in-Charge
    APHIS -- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
    APIS -- Advance Passenger Information System
    APO -- Administrative Center Property Officer
    APP -- Annual Performance Plan or Automated Permit Port
    ARC -- Alien Registration Card (Green Card)
    ASC -- Application Support Center (Naturalization)
    ASIS -- Anti-Smuggling Information System
    ASU -- Anti-Smuggling Unit
    ASVI -- Alien Status Verification Index
    AUO -- Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime
    AVLOS -- Automated Visa Lookout System

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    B

    BACS -- Bond Accounting System
    BAS -- Balanced Adjudications System
    BCC -- Border Crossing Card (Mexico)
    BCI -- Border Coordination Initiative
    BCIC -- Border Crossing Identification Card (I-586)
    BHRHA -- Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
    BIA -- Board of Immigration Appeals
    BMIS -- Bond Management Information System
    BOP -- Bureau of Prisons
    BORTAC -- Border Patrol Tactical Unit (HQ at Biggs Army Airfield, TX)
    BP -- Border Patrol
    BPA -- Border Patrol Academy/Border Patrol Agent
    BPR -- Border Process Re-Engineering Project
    BPSH -- Border Patrol Sector Headquarters
    BRP -- Backlog Reduction Plan (Naturalization)
    BSC -- Baltimore Service Center (telephones)

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    C

    CADRE -- Computer Assisted Detection and Reports Enhancement System
    CAO -- Center Adjudications Officer
    CAP -- Citizens Advisory Panel
    CAP -- Contracting and Procurement
    CAP -- Cuban Adjustment Program
    CATI -- Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing
    CATS -- Consolidate Asset Tracking System
    CAWG -- Control Authorities Working Group
    CBOs -- Community-Based Organizations
    CBIC -- Canadian Border Intelligence Center
    CBT -- Computer-Based Training
    CCATTS -- Correspondence Control and Task Tracking System
    CFOA -- Chief Financial Officers Act
    CFR -- Code of Federal Regulations
    CI -- Criminal Investigator; Cooperating Individual; Confidential Informant
    CIC -- Crime Information Center
    CIJ -- Chief Immigration Judge
    CIMT -- Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude
    CIPRIS -- Coordinated Interagency Partnership Regulating International Students, now SEVP
    CIPS -- Combined Immigration and Public Health Inspection Procedure
    CIR -- Commission on Immigration Reform
    CIRP -- Computer Incident Response Program
    CIS -- Central Index System
    CLAIMS -- Computer Linked Application Information Management Systems
    COLA -- Cost of living allowance
    COTR -- Contracting Officer Technical Representative
    COTS -- jail management, hotel and airline reservation software
    CPA -- Chief Patrol Agent
    CPS -- Current Population Survey (Census)
    CR -- Contact Representative
    CRO -- Central Region Office (Dallas)
    CSC -- California Service Center (Laguna Niguel)
    CSPM -- Computer Security Program Manager
    CSR -- Customer Service Representative (IRM - Computer)
    CSSO -- Computer Systems Security Officer
    CTRS -- Critical Transaction Reporting System
    CUSA -- Citizenship U.S.A.
    C&TS -- Computer & Telecommunications System

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    D

    D&D -- Detention and Deportation
    DACS -- Deportable Alien Control System
    DAO -- District Adjudication Officer; or Deputy Adjudications Officer
    DAS -- Duty Assignment Sheet (Border Patrol)
    DBM -- Distributed Budget Module
    DCL -- Dedicated Commuter Lane
    DCM -- Deputy Chief of Mission
    DCOS -- Debt Collection System
    DCPA -- Deputy Chief Patrol Agent
    DD -- District Director
    DDD -- Deputy District Director
    DDOS -- Detention and Deportation Optimization System
    DDP -- Detention and Deportation Program
    DED -- Deferred Enforced Departure
    DEO -- Detention Enforcement Officer
    DFS -- Designated Fingerprint Service
    DIAS -- Directives and Instructions Access System
    DMS -- Detention Management System
    DO -- District Office; or Deportation Officer
    DOE -- Date of Entry
    DOL -- Department of Labor
    DOS -- Department of State

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    E

    EAC -- Executive Associate Commissioner
    EAD -- Employment Authorization Document
    EFOIA -- Electronic Freedom of Information Act initiative
    ELR -- Employee Labor Relations
    ENFORCE -- Enforcement Case Tracking System
    EOD -- Entrance On Duty
    EOIR – Executive Office for Immigration Review
    EPIC – El Paso Intelligence Center
    ER -- Expedited Removal
    ERO -- Eastern Region Office (Burlington, VT)
    ETC -- Eastern Telephone Center
    EVD -- Extended Voluntary Departure
    EVP -- Employment Verification Pilot
    EVRP -- Encrypted Voice Radio Program
    EWI -- Entry Without Inspection

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    F

    FAAS -- Foreign Affairs Administrative Support System
    FACS -- Financial Accounting and Control System
    FARES -- Fees and Applications Receipt and Entry System
    FCC -- Fingerprint Clearance Coordination Center
    FCO -- Files Control Office
    FD-258 -- Fingerprint Card
    FDL -- Forensic Document Laboratory
    FEHBP -- Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
    FEPA -- Federal Employee Pay Act
    FEPCA -- Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act, 1990
    FEGLI -- Federal Employees Group Life Insurance
    FFMS -- Federal Financial Management System (will replace FACS)
    FIPS -- FOIA/PA Information Processing System
    FLIR -- Forward-Looking Infrared
    FLETC -- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
    FLRA -- Fair Labor Relation Authority
    FLSA -- Fair Labor Standard Act
    FOIA/PA -- Freedom of Information Act/ Privacy Act
    FOS/HM -- Field Operations Support & Hardware Maintenance
    FRC -- Federal Records Centers
    FSIP -- Federal Service Impasse Panel
    FTE -- Full-Time Equivalent
    FTP -- File Transfer Protocol
    FTRs -- File Transfer Requests

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    G

    GEMS -- General Counsel Management System
    GMRA -- Government Management and Reform Act
    GPRA -- Government Performance and Results Act
    GREEN CARD -- Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-151 or I-551)
    GUI -- Graphical User Interface

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    H

    HMIO -- Haitian Migration Interdiction Operation
    HPO -- HQ Property Officer
    HQFFM -- HQ Office of Files and Forms Management
    HQIAO -- HQ International Affairs
    HQINS -- HQ Office of Inspections
    HQIRM -- HQ Information Resource Management
    HQISD -- HQ Immigration Services Division
    HQMGM -- HQ Office of Management
    HQOCR -- HQ Office of Congressional Relations
    HQOIA -- HQ Internal Audit
    HQONO -- HQ Office of Naturalization Operations
    HQOPA -- HQ Office of Public Affairs
    HQOPP -- HQ Office of Policy & Planning
    HQOPS -- HQ Office of Field Operations
    HQOCR -- HQ Office of Congressional Relations
    HQPRG -- HQ Office of Programs
    HQREC -- HQ Office of Records
    HQSEC -- HQ Office of Security
    HQCSP -- HQ Career Sustainment Program
    HRO -- Human Resource Office
    HTTP -- Hypertext Transfer Protocol (server)
    HW -- Hardware

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    I

    IA -- Immigration Agent; or Investigative Assistant
    IAO -- Office of International Affairs
    IATA -- International Air Transport Association
    IBIS -- Interagency Border Inspection System
    ICAD -- Integrated Computer Aided Detection
    ICAO -- International Civil Aviation Organization
    ICF -- Immigration Card Facility (Arlington, TX)
    ICMS -- Investigations Case Management System
    ICPS -- Integrated Card Production System
    IDENT -- Automated Fingerprint Identification System
    IDP -- In District Processing
    IDO -- Immigration Detention Officer
    IE -- Immigration Examiner
    IFM -- Inspector’s Field Manual
    IHP -- Institutional Hearing Program
    II -- Immigration Inspector
    IIE -- Integrated Interior Enforcement
    IIO -- Immigration Information Officer
    IIRIRA -- Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
    IJ -- Immigration Judge
    INA -- Immigration and Nationalty Act
    INAB -- Inspections National Advisory Board
    INSERTS -- INS Easy Research & Transmittal System
    INSPASS -- INS Passenger Accelerated Service System
    INSpect -- INS Program for Excellence and Comprehensive Tracking
    INTEX -- Inspections Travelers Examination
    INV -- Investigations
    IO -- Immigration Officer
    IOA -- Immigration Officer Academy
    IOBTC -- Immigration Officer Basic Training Course
    IRC -- Internet Relay Chat (server)
    IRCA -- Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
    IRM -- Information Resources Management
    IRP -- Institutional Removal Program
    ISA -- Information System Architecture
    ISIS -- Integrated Surveillance Information System
    ISP -- Internet Service Provider
    IT -- Information Technology
    IV -- Immigration Visa
    IVR -- Interactive Voice Response
    IV&V -- Independent Validation and Verification

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    J

    JABS -- Joint Automated Booking System
    JEVP -- Joint Employment Verification Pilot Program (SSA/INS)
    JMD -- Justice Management Division
    JPATS -- Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation Service
    JTTF -- Joint Terrorism Task Force
    JVA -- Joint Voluntary Agency

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    L

    LAN -- Local Area Network
    LAPR -- Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence
    LAPS -- Legalization Application Processing System
    LAW -- Legally Authorized (or Admitted) Worker
    LDC -- Leadership Development Center (Dallas, TX.)
    LEA -- Law Enforcement Agency
    LEAA -- Law Enforcement Availability Act of 1994
    LEADS -- Law Enforcement Analytical Data System
    LEO -- Law Enforcement Officer
    LESC -- Law Enforcement Support Center
    LPR -- Lawful Permanent Resident
    LULAC -- League of United Latin American Citizens

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    M


    MDC -- Modified Departure Control
    MIRP -- Mexican Interior Repatriation Program
    MOBIS -- Management, Organizational and Business Improvement Services
    MRD -- Machine Readable Document
    MS&D Bond – Maintenance of Status and Departure bond

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    N

    NACARA -- Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act
    NACS -- Naturalization Automated Casework System
    NAILS -- National Automated Immigration Lookout System
    NARA -- National Archives and Records Administration
    NATZ -- Naturalization
    NBPC -- National Border Patrol Council (One of two collective bargaining units)
    NCIC – National Crime Information Center
    NFC -- National Finance Center
    NFS -- Network File System
    NGOs -- Non-Governmental Organizations
    NIF -- Notice of Intent to Fine
    NIIS -- Non-Immigrant Information System
    NINSC -- National INS Council (One of two collective bargaining units)
    NIV – Non Immigrant Visa
    NNTP -- Network News Transfer Protocol
    NQP -- Naturalization Quality Procedures
    NRC -- National Records Center
    NSC -- Nebraska Service Center (Lincoln)
    NSI -- National Security Information
    NTA -- Notice to Appear
    NVC -- National Visa Center (Dept. of State)

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    O

    OA -- Office Automation
    OARS -- Outlying Area Reporting System
    OASIS -- Operational Activities Special Information Systems
    OBTS – Offender Base Tracking System
    OCDETF – Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
    OCR -- Office of Congressional Relations (HQOCR or ROOCR)
    OI -- Operating Instructions
    OIA -- Office of Internal Audit
    OIA/IRB -- Office of Internal Audit/Internal Review Branch
    OIC – Officer-in-Charge
    OIL – Office of Immigration Litigation
    OIRM -- Office of Information Resources Management
    ONO -- Office of Naturalization Operations
    OPSEC -- Operations Security
    OSC -- Order to Show Cause
    OTM – Other than Mexican

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    P

    PA -- (Border) Patrol Agent
    PAIC -- Patrol Agent in Charge
    PAL -- Passenger Acceleration Lane (in San Clemente – See SENTRI)
    PAO -- Public Affairs Officer
    PAS -- Performance Management System
    PCO -- Property Control Officer
    PHS -- Public Health Services
    PICS -- Password Issuance and Control System
    PIMS -- Performance Indicator Management System
    PIO -- Public Information Officer
    PMFA -- Permanent Full-time Authorized Position
    PMPT -- Permanent Part-time Position
    POE -- Port-of-Entry
    POMS -- Port-of-Entry Management System
    POP -- Post Office Protocol
    POSTS -- Personnel Office Systems Tracking System
    PPE -- Personal Protective Equipment
    PRC -- Permanent Resident Card
    PQIC -- Port Quality Improvement Committees

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    R

    RAFACS -- Receipt and Alien File Accountability and Control System
    RAPID -- Records and Processes Improvement Design
    RAPS -- Refugees, Asylum and Parole System
    RAW -- Replenishment Agricultural Worker
    RD -- Regional Director
    ROOCR -- Regional Office of Congressional Relations
    RPFS -- Responsible Party Filing System
    RRU -- Rapid Response Unit (Headquarters)
    RTD – Refugee Travel Document
    RTP - National Records Transition Project
    RVI - Remote Video Inspection

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    S

    SA -- Special Agent
    SAVE -- Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement
    SAW -- Special Agricultural Workers
    SBPA -- Supervisory Border Patrol Agent
    SCAAP -- State Criminal Alien Assistance Program
    SCD -- Service Computation Date
    SDEO -- Supervisory Detention Enforcement Officer
    SDO -- Supervisory Detention Officer
    SENTRI -- Secure Electronic Network for Travelers’ Rapid Inspection
    SEVIS - Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
    SEVP - Student and Exchange Visitor Program
    SHRO -- Servicing Human Resources Office
    SIE -- Supervisory Immigration Examiner
    SII -- Supervisory Immigration Inspector
    SIO -- Supervisory Immigration Officer
    SIO -- Special Inquiry Officer (Immigration Judge)
    SITD -- Strategic Information and Technology Development
    SLOB -- Service Lookout Book
    SME -- Subject Matter Expert
    SMTP -- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
    SNMP -- Simple Network Management Protocol
    SOI -- Special Operations Inspector
    SPC -- Service Processing Center
    SPPB -- Systems Policy & Planning Branch
    SSA -- Supervisory Special Agent
    SW -- Southwest; Software

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    T

    TAPS -- Telephone Application Processing System
    TECS -- Treasury Enforcement Communications System
    TFTP -- Trivial File Transfer Protocol (server)
    TIC -- The Interdiction Committee
    TIP -- Technology Infrastructure Project
    TPCR -- Transition Period Custody Rules
    TPFT-- Temporary Full-Time Employee
    TPPT -- Temporary Part-Time Employee
    TPS -- Temporary Protected Status
    TSC -- Texas Service Center (Irving)
    TRWOV -- Transit Without Visa

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    U

    UNHCR -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
    USC -- U.S. Citizen
    USCS -- United States Customs Service

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    V

    VARS -- Vehicle Accounting and Reporting System
    VCRP -- Violent Crimes Reduction Programs
    VD -- Voluntary Departure
    VOLAG -- Voluntary Agency
    VR -- Voluntary Return
    VSC -- Vermont Service Center (St. Albans)
    VTC -- Video Teleconferencing
    VWPP -- Visa Waiver Pilot Program

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    W

    WAN -- Wide Area Network
    WORM -- Write-Once, Read Many
    WRO -- Western Region Office (Laguna Niguel, CA)
    WTC -- Western Telephone Center

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    Last Modified 02/28/2003