What is Parole Status in Immigration Law?
Parole status is short for “Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States.” It allows people outside the United States to request parole-based entry for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.
It is an option for individuals who might otherwise be inadmissible or ineligible to enter the United States temporarily. It also allows parolees to achieve temporary employment authorization if EAD “is not inconsistent with the purpose and duration of parole.”
Who can apply for parole?
Almost anyone can apply, but you’ll have to prove that you meet one of the two criteria outlined under the program. This can be difficult as there isn’t even a statutory definition for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or “significant public benefit.”
Urgent Humanitarian Reasons
The criteria for a humanitarian petition would depend on whether the circumstances are pressing, significantly impact your welfare and well-being, and whether you stand to suffer immensely if parole is not authorized.
Sometimes, the United States government will use parole to create broad, sweeping programs covering large groups of people. The most recent example is the Uniting for Ukraine program, which allowed Ukrainians fleeing the war to obtain travel authorization and a two-year parole period in the United States.
Other special parole programs include the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program, the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, The Central American Minor Refugee Parole Program, the Filipino WWII Veterans Parole Program, and the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative.
Significant Public Benefit
Significant public benefits can vary.
Often, this form of parole extends to individuals who will be participating in legal proceedings, as their presence is required for justice to be served.
Public benefit petitions may also be granted for reasons of national security.
Get Help Today
If you want to seek parole status, the burden of proof will be on you to show that you meet one of the two criteria. This is anything but easy. It’s not simply a matter of filling out a form. In addition, you may need to meet other criteria, such as proving you have a financial sponsor.
You’ll need legal help to present your evidence in a way that is likely to succeed. Retaining an immigration attorney also helps you determine whether there might be better programs for you to apply under.
Don’t try to handle US Immigration alone. Contact our offices to schedule a case review today.
See also:
How to Sponsor a Family From Ukraine
