Refugee: Refugees are people who flee to escape danger in their country of origin. They may have been living in the middle of war, or have experienced persecution for their race, religion, social group, or political views. They often fear for their lives and want to protect their families. They frequently have to leave homes and villages with little warning. Many refugees become separated from friends and family members when they manage to escape. They may have been living temporarily in refugee camps around the world for many years before being able to resettle in another country.
Immigrant: Immigrants are people who come to a new country to take up permanent residency. Immigrants may relocate for a variety of reasons, including employment, health care, safety, education, or other opportunities. There are a number of formal definitions of immigrants depending upon the circumstances of the immigrant. The United States has a proud history of opening doors to immigrants from around the world.
Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIV): Afghan and Iraqi translators and interpreters who worked directly for the US Armed forces under Chief of Mission (COM) authority at US Embassy Baghdad or US Embassy Kabul can receive SIV status for themselves and their families. This qualifies them for permanent resident (Green Card) status in the United States.