Are you an immigrant from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, or Haiti who wants to seek asylum in the United States? The Humanitarian Parole program might be your swiftest route to finding safety within our borders.
Humanitarian parole is similar to asylum, and is a newer program. It allows a person who may be inadmissible or otherwise ineligible for admission into the United States to get temporary parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit.
If you need help immigrating to MA, contact Boston immigration attorney Giselle M. Rodriguez. She is bilingual (English & Spanish), and works with clients throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Contact Giselle today to discuss your case.
What does humanitarian parole allow you to do?
Parole allows you to live in the United States for a specified period, typically about one year. Often, it comes with temporary employment authorization if such authorization isn’t inconsistent with the purpose and duration of the parole. You can also apply for a driver’s license or ID card once you have settled into your new, temporary home.
How does someone obtain humanitarian parole?
You may request parole for yourself or on behalf of another visitor by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You will also require a sponsor or financial supporter. Often financial supporters are churches or non-profit organizations, but individual financial supporters are acceptable. Supporters may join together to support an applicant. Your supporter must file Form I-134 A, the “Online Request to Be a Supporter.” You do not have to pay your supporter back. You can file the I-134 and supporting financial documentation if you are financially self-sufficient.
When does USCIS grant humanitarian parole? Here are some of the factors USCIS considers:
- Whether your situation is urgent
- The effect of your situation your welfare and well-being
- The degree of suffering that may result if parole is not authorized
- Whether the purpose of your parole request may be accomplished within a specific, temporary length of time in the US
- Whether you intend to leave the US when your parole expires, or whether you have the means to obtain lawful immigration status during the parole authorization period
- Whether you have any issues like a criminal history or a history of violating immigration law
- Whether an accommodation other than parole could meet your needs
- Whether you have a valid passport
As an immigration lawyer, I can help you either make your best case for parole or help you choose the immigration program that gives you the best chance of getting the immigration status you need.
What is the new review process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans seeking humanitarian parole in the US?
The US government can grant advance travel authorization to up to 30,000 non-citizens from these nations each month on a case-by-case basis.
The government randomly selects about half the monthly total of Forms I-134A, the Online Request to be a Supporter, and the Declaration of Financial Support forms, regardless of the filing date. They review those forms on a sort of lottery basis. Parole under these programs lasts two years instead of one. Once in the United States, you may apply for asylum if you wish to pursue lawful permanent residency.
What is the difference between these country-specific parole programs and normal parole?
The United States recognizes that those four countries are in a state of crisis, one that creates a need for a temporary asylum-like immigration program for some of the citizens of those countries. Though the program does make it easier to enter the United States, it is still not an easy process overall. If you are a potential sponsor or plan on seeking parole, you can contact my office for help. I can give you or the person you’ll be sponsoring the best possible chance of finding safety in the United States. Contact my office in Boston today.