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991 Chapter 7:Worker guides • Section 1: Multiple program worker guides (07/2026) Immigration and Nationality Act (INA): The basic immigration law. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS): See USCIS. Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA): In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act. This act allowed non-citizens who were currently residing in the United States to apply for legalization without the threat of deportation. Immigrants: People who have been admitted to the United States for permanent residence and have the option of becoming naturalized citizens after five years of permanent resident status. This category includes some Amerasians. Non-citizen: A person who is not a citizen of the United States. Non-immigrants: People who enter the United States on non-immigrant visas. These people are admitted for specific purposes and limited periods of time. They include tourists, students, visitors, temporary workers, investors, dignitaries, etc. Parolees: People not otherwise admissible who are sometimes granted entry into the U.S. at the discretion of the United States Attorney General. Persons residing under color of law (PRUCOL): People who are known to the USCIS and who the USCIS has no intention of deporting. Refugees/Asylees: People admitted because of a well-founded fear of persecution in their homeland due to race, religion or political opinion, as determined by USCIS. 1/1/82 Residents: Non-citizens who are being considered for amnesty under IRCA. These are non-citizens who were not previously lawfully admitted for residency but have proven to the USCIS that they have resided continuously in the United States since 1/1/82. Special or seasonal agricultural workers (SAWs): Non-citizens who are being considered for amnesty under IRCA. These non-citizens have proven to the USCIS that they have performed seasonal agricultural services in the United States for the specific period of time established by the USCIS. Undocumented non-citizen: A person who has overstayed a non-immigrant visa or who has entered the United States without inspection or valid immigration documents. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): An agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for enforcing the immigration laws that set the conditions of admission and the duration of the stay for all non-citizens. The USCIS issues the appropriate documentation to those who enter the country legally. Citizenship United States citizens are: • A person born in the U.S; A naturalized citizen; • A naturalized citizen;