Humanitarian

On June 16, 2021, the Department of Justice vacated its previous 2018 and 2021 Attorney General decisions in Matter of A-B-, and its 2019 Attorney General decision in Matter of L-E-A-.  USCIS will no longer rely on those cases when adjudicating or screening any asylum, refugee, credible fear, or reasonable fear claim.

Both the special parole policy for arriving Cuban nationals, commonly known as the “wet foot/dry foot” policy, and the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program expired on January 12, 2017. Read the announcement on the DHS website. The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program remains in effect.

USCIS provides a number of humanitarian programs and protection to assist individuals in need of shelter or aid from disasters, oppression, emergency medical issues and other urgent circumstances.

Latest Headlines

DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Parole Program
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that the Department of Homeland Security is withdrawing a 2018 notice of proposed rulemaking that proposed to remove the International Entrepreneur program from DHS regulations.
USCIS Ending Two Categorical Parole Programs
In keeping with the agency’s August 2019 announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice requesting public comments on revisions to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document to remove sections relating to the Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) and the Filipino World War II Veterans (FWVP) Parole programs. 

Topics

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Temporary Protected Status
If you are already in the United States, we may grant TPS to you so you can stay in the U.S. for a limited time.
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Humanitarian Parole
Individuals who are outside of the United States may be able to request parole into the United States based on humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.
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Refugee
You must receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for consideration as a refugee. Find more information on the referral criteria.
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Asylum
Every year, people come to the United States seeking protection because they have or fear they will suffer persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Find out if you quality for asylee status.