Recent Updates Relating to Humanitarian Parole (I-131) for Afghan Nationals

In continuation to our articles on “US Congress Extends Aid to Afghan Nationals at Risk: Operation Allies Welcome”, published on October 06, 2021 (Link: http://www.ahluwalialaw.com/us-congress-extends-aid-to-afghan-nationals-at-risk-operation-allies-welcome/); “Humanitarian Parole (I-131) For Afghan Nationals”, published on September 10, 2021 (Link: http://www.ahluwalialaw.com/humanitarian-parole-i-131-for-afghan-nationals/); and “Countries that Afghan Nationals Can Enter With or Without a Visa/E-Visa”, published on September 22, 2021 (Link: http://www.ahluwalialaw.com/countries-that-afghan-nationals-can-enter-with-or-without-a-visa-e-visa/), we would like to provide following updates to the Afghan community based on a recent discussion amongst the AILA members:

1. As per USCIS, while it is trying to process all urgent requests for humanitarian parole quickly, the processing may take several months and if one goes to a third country for further processing as a potential humanitarian parole beneficiary, one should be prepared to remain there for several months.

2. If an applicant for a humanitarian parole has arrived in a third country, they should notify USCIS about their arrival. Team ALO is able to assist the Afghan community in notifying USCIS.
3. Currently USCIS is accepting Humanitarian Parole applications and issuing receipt notices for the same; however, it is extremely slow in approving the applications.
4. USCIS is reported to have very limited resources and few agents to handle the heavy influx of Humanitarian Parole cases. According to AILA, USCIS has processed very few of the numerous Humanitarian Parole applications, because its primary focus has been on strategizing, allocating funds, and hiring new agents to adjudicate the cases.
5. To deal with the lack of resources, it is anticipated that USCIS will judge Humanitarian Parole applications harshly, so it is vital to file your application with the help of an immigration attorney.
6. The recent legislation authorizes Afghans who are paroled and are arriving between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022, or after September 30, 2022, and either the spouse or child of such a parolee or the parent or legal guardian of an unaccompanied child paroled during that period to receive the same services as refugees. This includes services like reception, placement, food assistance, healthcare, emergency housing, English language classes, job training and case management. The Afghans will also be eligible for driver’s license or identification card under Section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005.
7. There are reports of some passport offices opening in Afghanistan.

(Updated 10/27/2021)

We will regularly update the blog as soon as any new information is available.

Disclaimer

This article aims to provide new information concerning humanitarian parole for afghan nationals. This article, under no circumstances, acts as legal advice; therefore, for any immigration questions, please contact your Attorney or the Ahluwalia Law Offices, P.C. (Team ALO).