Humanitarian parole is a sparing program aimed at bringing inadmissible foreign citizens in the US for urgent medical care, court hearings, funerals and other reasons which can be considered humanitarian. The program is discretionary and only allowed under special circumstances. There must be an urgent humanitarian reason and significant public benefit for one to be granted parole. It should be understood that a humanitarian parole is not an intended bypass to immigration procedure but a solution for foreigners with emergencies and cannot obtain visas from embassies abroad. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security allows inadmissible aliens to enter and remain the US for a set period equivalent to the emergency but not exceeding one year. However, the parole may be extended based on the nature of the emergency and upon filing a re-parole request 90 days before the expiration date.
Only foreign citizens living outside the jurisdiction of the US can apply for Humanitarian parole. Anyone can file for the application including the parole applicant him/herself, sponsoring relative, immigration attorney, or interested organization. You can apply for the parole through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the US Customs and Border Protection at the US Port of Entry (CPB) or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as directed by the Department of Homeland Security. Based on the reasons for seeking parole, an immigration attorney will help you determine which bureau will receive and arbitrate your application.
The application package for humanitarian parole must contain original copies of form I-131 (Application for Travel Document), I-134 (Affidavit of Support), the time needed, filing fees ($575), detailed explanations for seeking parole, and explanations as to why the visa cannot be obtained in any other way. In the case of a medical emergency, one must also provide a detailed medical certificate regarding the diagnosis, proof of lack of appropriate treatment in home or neighboring country, cost and duration of treatment in the US, ability to cater for medical treatment, and evidence of strong ties in the home country to warrant return upon recovery.
Due to the strict legal requirements of a parole, you will require an immigration lawyer to take you through the application process. An immigration lawyer assists in obtaining parole at the specific bureaus by preparing a detailed parole request containing a comprehensive explanation of inadmissibility and the compelling reasons in search of parole. The lawyer will also help in preparing supporting documentation for parole as well as accompany clients to the bureau on the application date. Decisions regarding a parole are made within 90 to 120 days but emergency cases take only a few days. If the request is granted, you are notified in writing. If the request is denied, there is no opportunity granted for appeal.
