June 14th, 2023 at 05:27 am
Great News! DHS Launches Process for Afghans to Extend Permission to Stay in the US | US Immigration
After American soldiers left Afghanistan, many Afghan refugees who had established themselves in the country were running out of time. Thanks to the recent “parole” extension decision made by the Biden administration. Now, many Afghans will have the chance to stay in the United States and work there.
The Biden administration worked swiftly to evacuate Afghans who had backed the American government and its military operations as well as those who feared being persecuted. Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), which transported about 90,000 Afghans to the country for resettlement, called for extraordinary mobilization from the federal government as well as from the states, localities, and nonprofit organizations.
The evacuation’s special conditions meant that this process did not follow the typical case arc for refugee resettlement. The Afghans who relocated to the United States did not have official refugee status when they arrived. They required different legal and support services than those that resettlement organizations have traditionally offered. The majority of Afghans must fight for the chance to obtain a Special Immigrant Visa or file for asylum to remain permanently in the United States.
Afghans Resettled under OAW
Two years of humanitarian parole were given to the Afghans who were resettled under OAW. While they sought permanent status, this status allowed them to remain and continue working in the country. Numerous Afghans are still awaiting a final response from US Citizenship and Immigration Services on their applications for protection nearly 2 years after Kabul was evacuated.
In light of this, the Department of Homeland Security launched the formal re-parole process in June. It declared its plan to extend parole for Afghan nationals relocated under OAW for two additional years on May 5, 2023. The news of re-parole is a positive development that gives Afghan exiles the time to keep applying for safety. Additionally, it allows USCIS additional time to handle, examine, and, ideally, accept those applications.
Afghan Re-parole Process
Only a few Afghans who are paroled into the United States are eligible for this procedure. A modified version of USCIS form I-131 that includes an extension of employment permission is used to apply for re-parole.
Re-parole and employment permit application submissions come at a free cost. The application can be submitted on paper, online, or through USCIS.
A copy of a government-issued photo ID and the applicant’s Form I-94 arrival record. Humanitarian parole and occupational authorization can renew for another two years.
Afghan Parolees don’t have to file for re-parole under this procedure if they have already applied for asylum or a waiver of status to become legal residents of the United States. In these situations, DHS will evaluate each request for the renewal of humanitarian parole and employment authorization.
The implementation of the re-parole process is crucial in light of the difficulties many Afghan nationals have had in obtaining permanent status and serves as a significant illustration of the Biden administration’s continuous commitment to aiding Afghan nationals. Afghans will still want assistance to acquire permanent status after the dash to apply for re-parole.
Unfortunately, despite promises to speed up the procedure, the adjudication of Afghan asylum claims has been slow, leading to ongoing legal disputes. The majority of Afghans’ requests for humanitarian parole are still pending. Afghans are now crossing the United States’ southern border in greater numbers in search of safety. These people won’t enjoy the same advantages as those who resettled through OAW and will require assistance as they proceed with their defense asylum cases before Immigration Court.
Visit Newsnowgh.com for the most up-to-date information on changes to visa criteria, prospective paths to obtaining legal residency, and others.