UNITED WE STAND

UNITAS ACTUS [Latin] (1911) Roman law. Unity of action, esp. in the execution of a will, which must not be interrupted by any intervening act.

UNITAS JURIS [Latin] (1804) Hist. Unity of right.

UNITE vb. (15c) 1. To combine or join to form a whole. 2. To act in concert or in a common cause.

UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. The independent federal agency that administers US foreign-aid programs to give economic and humanitarian assistance to developing countries. The agency became independent by the Foreign Affairs and Restructuring Act of 1998, although its administrator is under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State. 

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. The aviation branch of the United States Armed Forces made up of the Regular Air Force (Standing Air Force), the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard. The United States Air Force is under the authority of the US Department of the Air Force. 

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY. An institution of higher learning in the United States Department of the Air Force responsible for educating and training commissioned officers for service in the United States Air Force. Founded in 1954, the academy is located near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Occasionally also termed, informally, Colorado Air Force School. 

UNITED STATES ARMY. The land combat and land operations branch of the United States armed forces. This branch includes supporting air and water transport services, such as the Army air Corps. The army includes the regular army (the standing force), the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard when in active federal service, as in time of war or other national emergency. The United States Army is under authority of the US Department of the Army. Also termed land forces. Abbr. USA.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY. A lawyer appointed by the President to represent, under the direction of the Attorney General, the federal government and civil and criminal cases in a federal judicial district. One US Attorney is assigned to each of the federal judicial districts, except for the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Abbr. USA. Also termed United States District Attorney.

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN. An enclosed garden on the US Capitol grounds were plants are cultivated for ceremonial use, public display, and research. Many rare botanical specimens are available for study by students and scientists at the Garden. 

UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES. The agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for handling foreign citizens' applications for permanent residency in the United States and naturalization as US citizens.

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. A military service and Armed Forces branch that enforces the federal laws applicable to waters subject to US jurisdiction, administers laws and promulgates regulations for the safety of lives and property on waters under US jurisdiction, carries out maritime rescue operations, performs oceanographic research, and at times serves as a specialized branch of the Navy. The Coast Guard was established in 1915. 14 USCA S 1. It has been part of the US Department of the Treasury and the US Department of Transportation. Today it is part of the US Department of Homeland Security during peacetime, and the US Department of Defense during wartime. Abbr. USCG.

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY. An institution of higher learning responsible for educating and training commissioned officers for service in the United States Coast Guard. The Academy began in 1876, as the School of Instruction of the Revenue Cutter Service near New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1915, the Academy acquired its current name and, in 1932, moved to its current location in New London, Connecticut. Abbr. USCGA.

UNITED STATES CODE. A multivolume published codification of federal statutory law.

UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED. A multivolume publication of the complete text of the United States Code with historical notes, cross-references, and casenotes of federal and state decisions construing specific Code sections. 

UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS. The agency that compiles information about discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, and about the denial of equal protection of the laws in voting, education, employment, and housing. The agency makes findings and recommendations to Congress but has no enforcement power. It was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957. 

UNITES STATES COPYRIGHT OFFICE. A branch of the Library of Congress that is responsible for implementing federal copyright laws. In addition to processing applications for copyrights, the US Copyright Office, stores deposited copyrighted materials and issues opinions (by request) and questions of copyright protection. Materials deposited with this agency or not automatically added to the Library of Congress collection; a separate and direct submission to the Library may be required. The office also administers various licensing provisions of the statute, including collecting and distributing royalties. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS. A federal appellate court having jurisdiction to hear cases in one of the 13 judicial circuits of the United States (the First Circuit through the Eleventh Circuit, plus the District of Columbia Circuit and the Federal Circuit). 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ARMED FORCES. The primary civilian appellate tribunal responsible for reviewing court-martial convictions from all the military services. 10 USCA SS 941-950.

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT. An intermediate-level appellate court with jurisdiction to hear appeals in patent cases, various actions against the United States to recover damages, cases from the US Court of Federal Claims, the US Court of International Trade, the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and some administrative agencies. The court originated in the 1982 merger of the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals and the US Court of Claims (although the trial jurisdiction of the Court of Claims was given to a new US Claims Court). Among the purposes of its creation were ending forum-shopping in patent suits, settling differences in patent law doctrines among the circuits, and allowing a single forum to develop the expertise needed to rule on complex technological questions that arise in patent suits. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. An Article I federal appellate court that has exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions of the Board of Veterans Appeals. The court was created in 1988 is the United States Court of Veterans Appeals; its name was changed in 1998. It's seven judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate; they serve 15 year terms. Appeals from its decisions are to the US Court of Appeals for the federal circuit. 38 USCA SS 7241 et seq.

UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS. A specialized federal court created under Article I of the Constitution in 1982 (with the name United States Claims Court) as the successor to the Court of Claims, and renamed in 1992 as the United States Court of Federal Claims. It has original, nationwide jurisdiction to render a money judgment on any claim against the United States founded on the Constitution, a federal statute, a federal regulation, an express or implied-in-fact contract with United States, or any other claim for damages not sounding in tort. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE. A court with jurisdiction over any civil action against the United States arising from federal laws governing import transactions or the eligibility of workers, firms, and communities for adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USCA SS 2101-2495). Its exclusive jurisdiction also includes actions to recover customs duties, to recover on a customs bond, and to impose certain civil penalties for fraud or negligence. See 28 USCA SS 1581-1584. 

UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. The federal law-enforcement agency within the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing US trade, customs, and immigration laws, especially capturing illegal immigrants at the border, stopping the traffic of contraband, guarding against the introduction of harmful pests and diseases, and protecting businesses against intellectual-property theft. Among its predecessors were the United States Customs Service and the Bureau of Customs. 

UNITED STATES CUSTOMS COURT. A court that formally heard cases involving customs and duties. Abolished in 1980, its responsibilities have been taken over by the United States Court of International Trade. 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. A federal trial court having jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases within its judicial district. The United States is divided into nearly 100 federal judicial districts. Each state has at least one judicial district. Also, the district of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands each have one district.

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. A unit in the US Department of the Interior responsible for managing more than 93,000,000 acres of land and water consisting of more than 500 national wildlife refuges and thousands of small wetlands. It also administers or enforces laws relating to migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine animals, and sports fisheries. 

UNITES STATES FLAG VESSEL. 1. See government vessel under VESSEL. 2. See privately owned U.S. flag commercial vessel under VESSEL.

UNITED STATES FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT. And 11-judge court that hears requests from the Attorney General for surveillance warrants under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The court's proceedings and records are normally closed to the public. Its rulings may be reviewed by the Foreign Intelligence Court of Review.

UNITED STATES FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT OF REVIEW. A panel comprising three federal judges appointed by the Chief Justice to review decisions of the United States Intelligence Surveillance Court. The court was established in 1978 by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. 

UNITED STATES FOREIGN SERVICE. A division of the State Department responsible for maintaining diplomatic and consular offices and personnel in foreign countries. Often shorten to Foreign Service. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. A unit in the US Department of the Interior responsible for preparing and publishing maps, technical reports, and fact sheets, and for compiling information about energy and mineral resources and the use and quality of the country's water resources. 

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE. An independent federal institution created to develop and disseminate knowledge about international peace and conflict resolution. The Institute was established in 1984. 

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION. An independent federal agency that compiles information on international trade and tariffs; reports its findings and recommendations to the President, the US Trade Representative, and Congressional Committees; and conducts investigations into international-trade relief. 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE. A federal judicial officer who hears civil and criminal pretrial matters and who may conduct civil trials or criminal misdemeanor trials. 28 USCA SS 631-639. Magistrate judges are appointed to renewable eight-year terms under Article I of the US Constitution. Also termed federal magistrate; (before 1990) United States Magistrate; parajudge.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. The military service within the United States Navy whose forces are trained for land, sea, and air combat. The United States Marine Corps is a separate service within the United States Navy, under the authority of the US Department of the Navy. Abbr. USMC.

UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE. The unit in the US Department of Justice responsible for protecting federal courts and ensuring effective operation of the judicial system. US Marshals make arrests, serve court papers, and enforce court orders. 

UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY. A military-affiliated institution of higher learning responsible for educating in training commissioned officers for service on civilian merchant vessels or in the armed forces. The Academy was founded in 1938, and since 1943 has been located at King's Point, New York. 

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. An institution of higher learning in the US Department of the Army responsible for educating and training officers for service in the US Army. Founded in 1802, the academy is located on the Hudson River in West Point, New York. Often termed West Point. 

UNITED STATES MINT. A unit in the US Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coins to be used in trade and commerce, numismatic coins, gold and silver coins, and national medals. It also operates the gold-storage facility at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It was formerly termed Bureau of the Mint.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY. An institution of higher learning in the United States Department of the Navy responsible for educating and training commissioned officers for service in the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Founded in 1845, the academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland. 

UNITED STATES NAVY. The naval operations branch of the United States armed forces, including naval aviation and the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard when operating as a service in the Navy. The United States Navy is under the authority of the US Department of the Navy. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A federal republic formed after the late-18th century War of Independence and made up of 48 conterminous states, plus the state of Alaska and the District of Columbia in North America, plus the state of Hawaii in the Pacific. 

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE. The Department of Commerce agency that examines patent and trademark applications, issues patents, registers trademarks, and furnishes patent and trademark information and services to the public. Often shortened to Patent Office, Trademark Office.

UNITED STATES PERSON. A US resident or national (except a national living outside the United States who employed by someone other than a United States person), a domestic American concern, and any foreign subsidiary or affiliate of domestic concern with operation controlled by the domestic concern. Under anti-boycott regulatory controls, no United States person may participate in a secondary boycott or discrimination against Jews and other members of the League of Arab States. 50 USCA app. S 2415(2).

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. An independent establishment in the executive branch responsible for operating post offices, safeguarding and delivering mail, and enforcing the laws affecting the integrity and security of the mail. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 replaced the cabinet-level Post Office Department with the United States Postal Service. 39 USCA SS 101 et seq. Abbr. USPS.

UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. A law-enforcement agency in the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for providing security for the President, Vice President, certain other government officials, and visiting foreign diplomats, and for protecting US currency by enforcing the laws relating to counterfeiting, forgery, and credit card fraud. The service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury in 2003. Often shortened to Secret Service. 

UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION. An independent commission in the judicial branch of the federal government responsible for setting and regulating guidelines for criminal sentencing in federal court and for issuing policy statements about their application. The President appoints its members with the advice and consent of the Senate. It was created under the Sentencing Reform Act 1984. 28 USCA S 991.

UNITED STATES SENTENCING GUIDELINES. A detailed set of instructions for judges to determine appropriate sentences for federal crimes. Also termed federal sentencing guidelines. 

UNITED STATES TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. An independent federal agency in the executive branch responsible for promoting trade between the United States and developing countries to create jobs in the United States and to promote economic progress in poorer countries. It was established in 1961 as the Trade and Development Program and was renamed in 1992. 

UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE. The top US trade negotiator and advisor to the President on foreign trade policy. The cabinet-level office is responsible for making annual reports on countries that do not act diligently to stop piracy of copyrighted material. The trade representative holds the rank of ambassador. See SPECIAL 301.

UNITED STATES TRUSTEE (1925). A federal official who is appointed by the Attorney General to perform administrative tasks in the bankruptcy process, such as appointing bankruptcy trustees in Chapter 7, and Chapter 11 cases.