In May, DHS/USCIS announced plans to establish a process by which certain Afghan nationals who were paroled into the United States through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) may request re-parole and employment documentation to ensure continuity of lawful presence and employment. USCIS plans to begin the re-parole application process through online and paper filing. Please see the below USCIS national engagement on how certain Afghan nationals can apply for re-parole.
Please also see the following notes, some of which are simply reminders:
- Afghan Humanitarian Parolees may be eligible for federal benefits, including “mainstream” public benefits such as cash assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as other funded benefits and services, which include temporary cash assistance, medical assistance, case management, employment services, legal services, and other integration supports.
- Eligibility for other funded services extends to Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, including those who have been granted re-parole, as well as Afghan refugees, asylees, Special Immigrants, and other populations.
- If an eligible Afghan obtains Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the individual will remain eligible for benefits and services until the end of the individual’s parole term, due to their underlying eligible immigration category or status
- Afghans with only TPS and no underlying federal eligible immigration category or status are not eligible for ASA or ORR benefits and services, however.
- Other important links:
- Benefits for Afghan Humanitarian Parolees Fact Sheet
- Immigration Legal Services for Afghan Arrivals
- Federal is working on additional policy and will communicate on these matters as soon as possible.
We encourage you to work with your community to ensure they are connected to legal service providers who can help them pursue the immigration relief options available to them.