GLOSSARY AGGRAVATED FELONY99: A list of specific crimes and
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP): Persons who speak
categories of crimes. Noncitizens usually become
English less than “very well.”
ineligible to enter or remain in the U.S. for any reason or to qualify for almost all types of immigration
LINGUISTIC ISOLATION: Defined as households that
benefits, including obtaining a green card or being
have no one age 14 and over who speaks English only
naturalized to become a U.S. citizen if charged with
or speaks English “very well.”
this offense. They also become much more vulnerable to removal (deportation) from the U.S.
LOW-INCOME: Determined as people who fall below
Criminal convictions in the past also count toward a
with income for the past 12 months who is less than
decision about whether someone has committed an
twice the poverty threshold (e.g., the 2015 Census
aggravated felony. The list, scope, and consequences
Bureau poverty threshold was $24,036 for a family of
of aggravated felonies have been vastly expanded
four with two children under age 18).
over the years by Congress and by court decisions. In some circumstances, misdemeanors can count as aggravated felonies. CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION (CVAP): Citizens who are of eligible voting age (i.e., 18 years old and
200% of the income-to-poverty ratio, or an individual
PER CAPITA INCOME: The mean income computed for all individuals in a particular group in the past 12 months. It is derived by dividing the total income of a particular group by the total population of that group.
above in the U.S.).
POVERTY: A measure of income relative to the federal
HOUSING COST BURDEN: Households are considered
family size, the 2015 Census Bureau poverty threshold
poverty threshold (the poverty line). Adjusted for
to have a high burden when 30% or more of
was $24,036 for a family of four with two children
household income is spent on housing costs, which
under age 18.
include rent and utilities. LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT (LPR): A person who
REFUGEE: A person outside their country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of
has immigrated legally but is not an American
nationality because of persecution or a well-founded
citizen. This person has been admitted to the United
fear of persecution on account of race, religion,
States as an immigrant and issued an LPR card,
nationality, membership in a particular social group,
commonly known as a “green card.” One is generally
or political opinion.
eligible to naturalize after holding LPR status for five years. Additional criteria, such as “good moral
YOUTH: Persons under age 18.
character,” knowledge of civics, and basic English, must also be met.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS
A NATIONAL SNAPSHOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES / 88
