Brian D. Lerner Immigration Attorney & Deportation Lawyer Blog

Question: I must get into the U.S. and have been denied at every corner. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: 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 immigration 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.

Question:  Where can I find the law about humanitarian parole?

Answer: 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.

Question:  Where do I file a request for humanitarian parole?

Answer:  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

Question: How long does it take to adjudicate an application?

Answer:  Humanitarian parole applications are generally adjudicated within 90-120 business days from
the time USCIS receives the application.

Question:  How can I find out the status of my application?

Answer:  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.

Question:  Can USCIS adjudicate humanitarian parole applications for individuals currently in the
United States?

Answer:  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.

Question:  How will I be notified if my request is approved?
Answer:  If you are the applicant, you will receive a written notice when your application has been
adjudicated.

Question:  For what period of time will I be granted humanitarian parole?
Answer:  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.

Question: Who can file an application for humanitarian parole?

Answer:  Anyone can file an application for humanitarian parole, including the prospective parolee, a
sponsoring relative, an attorney, or any other interested individual or organization.

Question:  What can I do if my case is not approved?

Answer:  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.

Of course you need to be sure all medical documentation and any other supporting documentation for the Humanitarian Parole is submitted.

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