From time to time, we get requests to decipher scrawl found on I-94 forms, passports, or even handwritten notes on visa pages. I am including in this brief post the codes that are often associated with those scribbles, and what they mean:
CBP is an abbreviation for “customs and border patrol”, and it refers to the officers that inspect incoming aliens upon arrival in the US. From the CBP website:
After the successful completion of processing the applicant, a CBP officer stamps the applicants CBP Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Records, and the passport. The CBP Declaration, used at air and sea ports of entry, may also be stamped by the CBP officer. The CBP officer retains the arrival portion of the CBP Form I-94 and returns the departure portion of the CBP Form I-94 and passport to the applicant.
However, the following notations can be found anywhere in the a passport or visa form. They are not limited to an I-94 specifically.
| Immigration Status | CARES Code | I-94 Codes | I-551 Codes | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuban/Haitian Entrant | 11 | 212(d)(5) or paroled or C/H Entrant and from Cuba or Haiti or I-551 stamp and CU6 or CH6 | CU6 or CU7, CH6 | Unexpired and expired 1-551 stamp in foreign passport |
| Deportation Withheld | 15 | 106 or 243(h) or 241(b)(3) | NA | INS Form I-688B annotated 274a.12(a)(10); INS Form I-766, annotated A10; order from an immigration judge showing deportation withheld under 243(h) or removal withheld under 241(b)(3) |
| Battered Alien | 16 | AR1, AR6, C20 through C29, CF1, CF2, CR1, CR6, CR7, CX1, CX2, CX3, CX6, CX7, CX8, F20 through F29, FX1, FX2, FX3, FX6, FX7, FX8, IF1, IF2, IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4, IR6, IR7, IR8, IR9, IW1, IW2, IW6, IW7, MR6, MR7, P21, P22, P23, P26, P27, P28; IB3, IB6, IB7, IB8, B11, B12, B16, B17, B20 through B29, B31, B32, B33, B36, B37, B37, B38, BX1, BX2, BX3, BX6, BX7, BX8 some Z13 | AR1, AR6, C20 through C29, CF1, CF2, CR1, CR6, CR7, CX1, CX2, CX3, CX6, CX7, CX8, F20 through F29, FX1, FX2, FX3, FX6, FX7, FX8, IF1, IF2, IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4, IR6, IR7, IR8, IR9, IW1, IW2, IW6, IW7, MR6, MR7, P21, P22, P23, P26, P27, P28; IB3, IB6, IB7, IB8, B11, B12, B16, B17, B20 through B29, B31, B32, B33, B36, B37, B38, BX1, BX2, BX3, BX6, BX7, BX8 some Z13 | I-551 stamp in foreign passport with one of the preceding codes; or IMPORTANT: Applicant has filed an I-130 or I-360 petition as a battered alien. INS Form – 797 is documentation of approval of an I-130 application. |
| Immigration Status | CARES Code | I-94 Codes | I-551 Codes | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuban/Haitian Entrant | 11 | 212(d)(5) or paroled or C/H Entrant and from Cuba or Haiti or I-551 stamp and CU6 or CH6 | CU6 or CU7, CH6 | Unexpired and expired 1-551 stamp in foreign passport |
| Deportation Withheld | 15 | 106 or 243(h) or 241(b)(3) | NA | INS Form I-688B annotated 274a.12(a)(10); INS Form I-766, annotated A10; order from an immigration judge showing deportation withheld under 243(h) or removal withheld under 241(b)(3) |
| Battered Alien | 16 | AR1, AR6, C20 through C29, CF1, CF2, CR1, CR6, CR7, CX1, CX2, CX3, CX6, CX7, CX8, F20 through F29, FX1, FX2, FX3, FX6, FX7, FX8, IF1, IF2, IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4, IR6, IR7, IR8, IR9, IW1, IW2, IW6, IW7, MR6, MR7, P21, P22, P23, P26, P27, P28; IB3, IB6, IB7, IB8, B11, B12, B16, B17, B20 through B29, B31, B32, B33, B36, B37, B37, B38, BX1, BX2, BX3, BX6, BX7, BX8 some Z13 | AR1, AR6, C20 through C29, CF1, CF2, CR1, CR6, CR7, CX1, CX2, CX3, CX6, CX7, CX8, F20 through F29, FX1, FX2, FX3, FX6, FX7, FX8, IF1, IF2, IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4, IR6, IR7, IR8, IR9, IW1, IW2, IW6, IW7, MR6, MR7, P21, P22, P23, P26, P27, P28; IB3, IB6, IB7, IB8, B11, B12, B16, B17, B20 through B29, B31, B32, B33, B36, B37, B38, BX1, BX2, BX3, BX6, BX7, BX8 some Z13 | I-551 stamp in foreign passport with one of the preceding codes; or IMPORTANT: Applicant has filed an I-130 or I-360 petition as a battered alien. INS Form – 797 is documentation of approval of an I-130 application |
| Amerasian | 17 | AM1, AM2, or AM3 | AM 6, AM7, or AM8 | I-551 stamp in foreign passport with one of the preceding codes |
| Foreign born Native American | 18 | S13 | S13 | I-551 stamp in foreign passport with S13 tribal membership card from federally recognized tribe. |
| Trafficking Victim | 19 | T-2, T-3, T-4 and T-5 known as “Derivative T” visas are not currently available in the SAVE system. Call the toll-free trafficking verification line at 1-866-401-5510 to notify ORR of the benefits for which the individual has applied. | Health and Human Service Office of Refugee Resettlement Certification Letter |