AAO The Administrative Appeals Office
Under authority that the Secretary of Homeland Security has delegated to USCIS, the AAO exercises appellate jurisdiction over approximately 50 different immigration case types filed with USCIS offices, as well as certain U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) determinations. Not every type of denied immigration benefit request may be appealed, and some appeals fall under the jurisdiction of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
ACC Assistant Chief Counsel
Government attorneys that represent the Department of Homeland Security, ICE at EOIR removal proceedings.
A Number A File
“A” Number or “A” File is short for alien number or alien file. Every foreign national inside of the United States who has had contact with USCIS, ICE, or CBP will be issued an identifying A number, which will be used by the government as their file number and is how one can track their case or find information about their immigration matters.
AF
Aggravated felony
AOS Adjustment of Status
Changing status from a nonimmigrant or no status to that of legal resident. This is the process by which a non-citizen obtains a green card when they are already in the United States.
AP
Advance parole travel document