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Glossary - U
Many child welfare terms are subject to interpretation. The Glossary identifies commonly held definitions for terms that can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website. It defines common acronyms and includes links to information on major Federal legislation and related child welfare terms. The Glossary will be updated as new terminology emerges in the field, as new legislation is enacted, and as child welfare terms take on new meaning.
For additional information on glossary terms, please see our index Search A-Z.
unaccompanied refugee minors, URM
Children who are separated from both parents and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible to do so, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In resettlement terms, URMs are children under age 18 who are resettled alone in the United States without a parent or relative able to care for them.
unsubstantiated (not substantiated)
An investigation disposition that determines that there is not sufficient evidence under State law or policy to conclude that a child has been maltreated or is at risk of maltreatment. A child protective services determination means that credible evidence does not exist that child abuse or neglect has occurred.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that must approve all intercountry adoptions. USCIS determines whether a particular child meets the definition of a Hague Convention-adopted person, conducts background and criminal checks on all household members, (including fingerprint checks of all household members aged 18 and older), approves the adoption home study, and issues a Certificate of Citizenship.