Introduction
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a number of humanitarian programs and types of protection for individuals in need of shelter and/or aid from disasters, oppression, emergency medical issues and other urgent conditions. Humanitarian parole is one such program.
Humanitarian parole enables an otherwise inadmissible individual to enter the U.S. temporarily due to a compelling emergency. USCIS may grant humanitarian parole based on urgent, compelling reasons, or to promote a significant public benefit. This parole does not confer any permanent immigration status, but does enable a recipient to apply for and receive employment authorization.
Humanitarian parole is typically granted for the duration of the emergency or compelling situation at issue. Anyone granted humanitarian parole must depart the U.S. prior to its expiration date or risk negative immigration consequences. It is possible, however, to request while in the U.S., a re-parole of a previously accorded humanitarian parole period.
Anyone can file an application for humanitarian parole, including the prospective parolee, a sponsoring relative, an attorney, or any other interested individual or organization. Requests for humanitarian parole may only be accepted for individuals who are outside the U.S.; unless such request pertains to a re-parole of a prior humanitarian parole granted at USCIS headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Questions & Answers
Q. Where can I find the law about humanitarian parole?
A. The legal foundation for humanitarian parole comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 212(d)(5)(A) of the INA states USCIS has discretion to parole an individual into the U.S. temporarily under certain conditions for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit on a case-by-case basis.
Q. Where do I file a request for humanitarian parole?
A. You file a request for humanitarian parole using Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with the Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, to:
Department of Homeland Security, USCIS
Attn: Chief, Humanitarian Affairs Branch
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
For complete instructions on how to apply, see the Humanitarian section at http://www.uscis.gov.
Q. How long does it take to adjudicate an application?
A. Humanitarian parole applications are generally adjudicated within 90-120 business days from the time USCIS receives the application.
Q. How can I find out the status of my application?
A. To check the status of your application, contact the Chief of the Humanitarian Affairs Branch at the above address. Please provide specific information about your application, such as the case number of the humanitarian parole application, the name, and date of birth of the petitioner, the date of application, and a brief explanation of the reasons for seeking parole.
Q. Can USCIS adjudicate humanitarian parole applications for individuals currently in the United States?
A. Requests for humanitarian parole can only be accepted for individuals who are currently outside the U.S. However, where USCIS Headquarters has already granted parole for humanitarian reasons, an individual in the U.S. may file a request to for re-parole.
Q. How will I be notified if my request is approved?
A. If you are the applicant, you will receive a written notice when your application has been adjudicated.
Q. For what period of time will I be granted humanitarian parole?
A. Humanitarian parole is typically granted for the duration of the emergency or compelling situation at issue. It is seldom granted for longer than one year.
Q. Who can file an application for humanitarian parole?
A. Anyone can file an application for humanitarian parole, including the prospective parolee, a sponsoring relative, an attorney, or any other interested individual or organization.
Q. What can I do if my case is not approved?
A. The denial of a request for humanitarian parole is a discretionary determination based upon a complete review of all of the circumstances described in the documents submitted in each case. The law does not provide for appeal of a denial. However, if there are significant new facts that are relevant to your application for humanitarian parole, you may submit a new Form I-131 to the address above with a new fee and supporting documentation.
Q. Where can I receive forms to request humanitarian parole?
A. The Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and instructions are available to download from http://www.uscis.gov/forms. You may make a request online to have the forms mailed to you, or call USCIS’ Forms Request line, 1- 800-870-3676.
Guidelines
A Humanitarian Parole application package should contain ALL of the following:
- Original Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
- Original Form I-134, Affidavit of Support
- Filing fee
- Detailed explanation of the reasons why you are applying for Humanitarian Parole and the length of time for which you need Humanitarian Parole (the maximum time is usually limited to one year)
- Detailed explanation of why you cannot obtain a U.S. nonimmigrant visa from the Department of State including:
- when and where you attempted to obtain visas,
- if you were denied, send a copy of the denial letter given to you
- Detailed explanation of the reasons why you cannot obtain any required waiver of inadmissibility (if applicable) and a copy of the denial letter if you received one
- Copies of any previously approved immigrant petitions (Forms I-130, I-140, I-360)
- Copies of supporting documents (tax returns, doctor’s letters, etc) can also be referred to as evidence.
Important Notes:
- If you need humanitarian parole for medical reasons, you must submit an explanation from a medical doctor stating the diagnosis, prognosis, the reasons why you cannot obtain treatment in your home country or in a neighboring country, how long the treatment is expected to last, how the treatment will be paid for, and the overall, estimated cost of the treatment.
- Applications are not processed until all documents are received.
- All supporting documents must be included with the application when it is submitted to USCIS. All requests for parole must be submitted to:
Department of Homeland Security, USCIS
Attn: Chief, Humanitarian Affairs Branch
20 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 3300
Washington, DC 20529-2100
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