Understanding Under-Represented Countries in Immigration Law

Q: How can I find out if my country is under-represented?

You can check historical visa allocation data from U.S. immigration resources or consult an immigration attorney.

Q: Are there specific visa programs for under-represented countries?

Yes, there are specific immigration programs that provide additional opportunities for individuals from under-represented countries.

Definition & Meaning

Under-represented countries refer to nations that have historically received fewer immigration visas than allowed under U.S. immigration laws. Specifically, these are countries that received less than twenty-five percent of the maximum visa allocations set for them in fiscal year 1988. For independent countries, the limit was twenty thousand visas, while dependencies had a limit of five thousand. As a result, under-represented countries are those whose nationals were granted fewer than five thousand visas in that fiscal year.

Table of content

Legal Use & context

This term is primarily used in U.S. immigration law, particularly concerning visa allocation and immigration policy. The Immigration Amendments of 1988 established specific provisions for issuing visas to individuals from under-represented countries. Understanding this term is essential for immigration attorneys and applicants seeking to navigate visa applications and immigration processes effectively. Users can manage some aspects of this process using legal templates from US Legal Forms.

Key legal elements

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A native of a country that received only four thousand visas in fiscal year 1988 would be classified as coming from an under-represented country, making them eligible for specific immigration programs aimed at increasing diversity.

Example 2: A hypothetical example could involve a person from a small island nation that historically has not utilized its full visa quota, thus qualifying them under the under-represented category.

Relevant laws & statutes

The Immigration Amendments of 1988, Public Law 101-658, is the primary law associated with under-represented countries. It established the criteria for visa issuance to these nations during fiscal years 1990 and 1991.

Comparison with related terms

Term	Definition	Difference
Under-represented countries	Countries that received fewer than twenty-five percent of their visa quota.	Focuses specifically on visa allocation history.
Visa lottery	A program that randomly selects applicants for visas from countries with low immigration rates.	Based on random selection rather than historical allocation.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe you are from an under-represented country and are seeking a visa, consider the following steps:

Research the specific visa options available for your country.
Gather necessary documentation to support your application.
Explore US Legal Forms for ready-to-use legal templates that can assist you in the application process.
If your situation is complex, consult with an immigration attorney for personalized guidance.

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Quick facts

Attribute	Details
Visa Allocation Limit	Twenty thousand for independent countries; five thousand for dependencies.
Eligibility Criteria	Less than twenty-five percent of maximum visas issued in fiscal year 1988.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What qualifies a country as under-represented?

A country is considered under-represented if it received less than twenty-five percent of its maximum visa allocation in fiscal year 1988.