Americanized: Rebel without a Green Card

Farsi term for “uncle” on father’s side of the family.

A term that describes “a child born to a noncitizen mother in a country that has birthright citizenship, especially when providing an advantage to family members seeking to secure citizenship or legal residency” (111). Saedi uses this term jokingly when referring to her younger brother, Kai. 

Farsi term for “dad.” Often used in reference to Saedi’s father.

A large piece of cloth wrapped around a woman’s head and upper body while leaving the face exposed. Associated with Muslim women. Maman Farideh wears a chador.

Acronym for “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.” Implemented in 2012 by the Obama administration by executive order, DACA provided temporary legal presence and work authorization to undocumented children who entered the United States before the age of 16. A number of lawsuits have challenged the legality of DACA, putting DACA recipients at risk for deportation.

Farsi term for “uncle” on the mother’s side of the family. Often used in reference to Saedi’s maternal uncle, Mehrdad.

Language spoken in Iran and by Saedi’s family members.

Permanent resident card that allows someone to live and work legally in the United States. Saedi receives her green card after living in the United States for 18 years.

Acronym for “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” The agency was created after September 11, 2001, to implement immigration laws. Saedi describes ICE as the agency that is in charge of deporting immigrants.

Refers to the nationality of people from Iran. As a child, Saedi has an Iranian passport because she was born in Iran and her family immigrated to the United States from that country.

Sometimes referred to as Sharia law, Saedi defines Islamic law as “a set of moral laws that come from the Qur’an instead of legislation by the people. Some aspects of Islamic law are observed in Iran’s legal system, but today the country mostly operates under civil law, ratified by the parliament” (13).

Farsi term for “aunt” on mother’s side of the family.

Farsi term for “mom.” Often used in reference to Saedi’s mother and her grandmothers.

Refers to the predominant ethnic group in Iran. Saedi prefers to call herself Iranian rather than Persian because it sounds less pretentious.

The protection granted to a person who flees their country because of political persecution. Returning to the home country can put that person’s life at risk.

Surgery that changes the shape of the nose, often referred to as a nose job. Saedi speaks about the commonness of rhinoplasty in Iran and its associations with cultural prestige and wealth.

Farsi word that does not have an exact translation in English but generally refers to the act of showing politeness by declining something, even if you really want it. An example of taarof is when Saedi’s uncle gives her $100 to buy food, and she declines but eventually takes it after her uncle insists.

Saedi defines undocumented immigrant as “anyone who is not a permanent resident of the country and does not have a visa to be here. Those with lawful permanent residency applications pending, and those who haven’t filed any paperwork, are still considered ‘undocumented’” (28).