Humanitarian

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

USCIS to End Certain Categorical Parole Programs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced its intention to terminate two categorical parole programs, consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 13767, Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, and to better ensure that parole is used only on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the law.
USCIS Announces Online Case Status Feature for Asylum Applicants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that applicants who have a pending affirmative asylum application with USCIS can now check the status of their applications online at uscis.gov/casestatus.

Topics

Woman looking to the side out a window

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.
Mother sitting in a tent with three young children

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.
Mother holding young child in her arms

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.