Blog

What is Humanitarian Parole Application for Nationals of Afghanistan?

A person outside the United States may temporarily request humanitarian parole into the U.S. due to urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons. The authorized USCIS body grants humanitarian parole depending on the facts of the case and specifies the parole duration. Humanitarian Parole does not confer immigration status upon a person; however, it allows for temporary lawful presence in the USA.

A resident of Afghanistan may file a request for humanitarian parole, or someone residing in the U.S. may file one for them. However, due to the current scenario, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul is closed. All normal consular services in Afghanistan are suspended; thus, the applicant may have to travel to a third country for processing before the USCIS approves humanitarian parole. If it determines that the applicant may be eligible for humanitarian parole, it will issue a notice informing the applicant that they must travel to a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan before the authorities can fully process the humanitarian parole request.

The additional processing will include the taking of biometric records and additional vetting. The applicant may be required to undergo medical screening by a panel physician before the humanitarian parole request is approved. The processing may take a few months. 

How to Apply for Humanitarian Parole?

Afsha Rangwala has helped fill the Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, for clients seeking humanitarian parole for themselves or another individual. The Form I-131 must accompany the applicable filing fee of $575 per applicant or fee waiver request (Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver). Each member of the family must complete a separate Form I-131. If the applicant cannot provide documents demonstrating their inability to pay the filing fee, they must provide a detailed explanation. USCIS may grant their request for a fee waiver without supporting documents if one offers this detailed explanation and is otherwise eligible for a fee waiver.

Additionally, the applicant must include a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, and other supporting documentation with humanitarian parole requests for each family member. The form shows that a sponsor has agreed to provide financial support to the parolee while paroled in the U.S. Subsequently, there may be multiple sponsors. The beneficiary may self-sponsor, or an organization may support the parolee by submitting a Form I-134. Where an organization is a sponsor, a letter from the organization committing to support the beneficiary may include the humanitarian parole application if an employee of an organization cannot complete Form I-134. Information regarding support during the humanitarian parole period should consist of the beneficiary’s special needs if any.

The beneficiary’s detailed contact information (email address, phone number, and physical address) must be included in the parole application, either on Form I-131’s applicable section or on a supplemental document. The beneficiary should notify USCIS of any changes in the contact information. Once the beneficiary can make private arrangements to travel to a third country with a U.S. embassy or consulate, the beneficiary must notify USCIS immediately.

After Arrival in the United States:

Humanitarian parole is not a lawful immigration status and does not provide a path to legal immigration status. After arrival in the United States, the parolee must take additional steps in advance of the expiration of their parole to ensure they remain legally present after the authorized period of humanitarian parole in the United States has ended. Failure to maintain a lawful presence throughout the entire stay in the U.S. can have serious immigration consequences.

• Re-parole: One may request re-parole (an additional period of humanitarian parole) by filing a new Form I-131, with quintessential fees (or fee waiver request using Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or a written request), a new Form I-134, and updated supporting evidence to demonstrate the need for re-parole at least 90 days before the humanitarian parole expiration date.
• Work Authorization: One may request employment authorization under category (c)(11) after being paroled into the United States by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
• Asylum If one believes they have suffered persecution or fear that there is a fair chance, they may suffer persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, they may file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal.
• Follow-to-Join Relatives: If the applicants are the beneficiary of an approved Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. In that case, one may have obtained immigration status as an asylee or refugee when first entered the United States. One should call the USCIS Contact Center to request an appointment with the USCIS Field Office with jurisdiction over their residence to confirm their immigration status.

Immigration Attorney Afsha Rangwala and her team of skilled legal professionals have made the Humanitarian Parole process easier for several people seeking help from USCIS to allow them to enter the U.S. Providing competent representation to the immigration needs of clients is the top priority of law Office of Afsha Rangwala.