ngOn May 27, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it would provide immigration services that can support individuals who are victims of unforeseen circumstances. To accomplish this, they have put in place a number of measures to address specific requests including parole applications in response to the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, for example.
Find out in this article what supports USCIS offers to help those affected by the shooting and how they can be exempt from the Form I-131 fee for those applying for parole.
What measures are available on a case-by-case basis upon request?
The measures that may be available upon request are:
1.) Adjusting the nonimmigrant status or extending the nonimmigrant stay of a person currently in the United States. If you do not apply for an extension or modification before the authorized enrollment period expires, we can apologize if the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
2.) Conditional re-release of persons previously granted parole by USCIS ;
3.) Expedited processing of early parole applications;
4.) Expedited processing of off-campus employment authorization requests for F-1 students with severe financial hardship;
5.) Expedited processing of petitions or requests, including requests for employment authorization (if applicable) ;
6.) Reviewing requests for fee waivers due to inability to pay ;
7.) Flexibility for those who receive a request for evidence or notice of intent to deny but are unable to file evidence or otherwise respond in a timely manner;
8.) Flexibility for no-shows at a scheduled interview with USCIS ;
9.) Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration documents or USCIS-issued travel documents such as permanent resident cards (green cards), employment authorization documents or Form I-94, arrival/departure log; and
10.) Reschedule appointments for biometric services.
What are the requirements to apply for parole in the United States?
On June 8, 2022, USCIS clarified the requirements for applying for parole under exceptional circumstances. If you are applying for U.S. parole for yourself or someone else to attend a funeral or provide emergency assistance to a family member affected by the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, you must:
- File Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, submitting a humanitarian emergency or vital public interest parole request.
- Provide proof of relationship with the family member involved, complete Form I-134, a statement of financial support, and any other evidence necessary to support the parole request.
- Write “Uvalde” in the upper right-hand corner of the I-131 form and attach a cover sheet indicating “Uvalde” at the top of the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to pay the fee to apply for parole in exceptional circumstances?
USCIS waives the Form I-131 fee for those requesting parole in the Uvalde shooting.
How do I request expedited processing?
To request expedited processing, please send an email to Humanitarianparole@uscis.dhs.gov after submitting the I-131 form. Please write “Uvalde Expedited Request” in the subject line or visit the USCIS webpage for more information.
Need for assistance ?
Schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Richard Herman by calling 1-216-696-6170, or by booking online. Consultations can be conducted by zoom, skype, whatsapp, facetime, or in-office.
