The United States is often considered a beacon of hope and opportunity for those in need. The Humanitarian Parole program is one of the ways the U.S. government tries to provide relief to individuals who are facing urgent humanitarian situations and need to enter the country. However, the program is intended for very limited circumstances and is not a substitute for other visas. In this article, we will discuss who is eligible to apply for Humanitarian Parole for U.S. entry, how to apply, the processing time for applications, and other important information about the program.
Humanitarian Parole is a program designed to allow individuals who are otherwise inadmissible to the United States to enter for a temporary period due to humanitarian reasons. The program is used to bring individuals to the U.S. who may be facing urgent medical, family or other humanitarian situations that require their presence in the country.
Humanitarian parole is not intended to be a substitute for other visas. Therefore, individuals who are eligible for other visas, such as immigrant or nonimmigrant visas, are generally not eligible for humanitarian parole. Instead, humanitarian parole is available only in very limited circumstances.
Individuals who may qualify for humanitarian parole include:
To apply for humanitarian parole, one must submit Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, along with supporting documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application must demonstrate that the person seeking entry has compelling humanitarian reasons for the visit, and that their entry would not pose a threat to the United States.
If a humanitarian parole application is approved, the individual will be issued an Advance Parole Document, which will allow them to enter the U.S. for a temporary period. The Advance Parole Document is generally valid for a one-time entry and is only valid for the specific period of time requested in the application.
There are several humanitarian reasons that may qualify an individual for advance parole, including medical emergencies, family emergencies, and urgent humanitarian situations. However, each case is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the individual seeking entry must be able to demonstrate that their situation meets the specific criteria for humanitarian parole.
The processing time for humanitarian parole applications varies depending on the specific case and the workload of the USCIS office that is processing the application. Typically, USCIS will respond to a humanitarian parole application within six months, but the processing time can be longer in some cases.
Humanitarian parole is not a path to lawful permanent residence (LPR) in the United States. However, individuals who are granted humanitarian parole may be eligible to adjust their status to LPR if they meet the eligibility criteria for another immigrant visa category. For example, if an individual entered the U.S. on humanitarian parole and subsequently marries a U.S. citizen or LPR, they may be eligible to adjust their status to become an LPR based on their marriage.
It’s important to note that obtaining humanitarian parole does not guarantee eligibility for any other immigration benefits, including adjustment of status to LPR. Each case is evaluated on its individual merits, and eligibility for other immigration benefits will depend on the specific circumstances of the case. Humanitarian visas may provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence (LPR) status in the United States, while humanitarian parole does not.
Humanitarian Parole for U.S. entry is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the applicant’s individual circumstances. If you or a loved one is considering applying for Humanitarian Parole, it’s essential to consult an experienced immigration law attorney who can guide you through the process and ensure that you have the best chance of success. An attorney can help you understand the eligibility criteria, gather the required documentation, and submit a well-prepared application. At Dominguez Law Firm, PLLC we want to ensure that the immigration process is as smooth and stress free as possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your journey to a brighter future.