What is Humanitarian Parole?

According to the US Citizen and Immigration Service, Humanitarian Parole (HP) “is used to bring someone who is otherwise inadmissible into the United States for a temporary period of time due to an emergency.” This is the means through which many endangered Afghans hope to gain admission to the United States. An “Affidavit of Support,” or I-134 USCIS form, must be part of each person’s application for HP. This is where the need for a sponsor arises.

What does it mean to be a sponsor for a Humanitarian Parole (HP) applicant?

A sponsor must provide the government with evidence of their income and financial resources (if income is not high enough) to prove the sponsor can help the HP applicant if necessary, so that they will not become a “public charge” in the United States. “Public charge” is a legal term used to denote a dependence on the federal government.

May I choose who I sponsor?

Quite possibly. We can either match you with a family based on the number of individuals you’d like to sponsor, or we can provide you with some general information about people in need of a sponsor and you may choose according to your preference. All HP applicants undergo an interview with the US government before being approved, and you can speak to their advocate if you have questions or concerns.

What kind of support is a sponsor required to provide?

There is no actual monetary or other support required of sponsors. In fact, some lawyers believe the affidavit of support is not legally enforceable. The Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual states, “This affidavit, submitted by the applicant at your request, is not legally binding on the sponsor and should not be accorded the same weight as Form I-864.” We can provide you with further information regarding this. Also, see below regarding the benefits the US government is stating that they will provide. You or your organization may feel a moral obligation to assist those whom you are sponsoring, and we encourage you to consider how you can help.

How do I know if my income is enough to sponsor someone?

There are no absolute guidelines, but many lawyers recommend using the Federal Poverty Guidelines (Click on the drop-down arrow to see the table; use the 100% guideline.) Your income should be enough to cover the number of individuals in your family — which includes you, your spouse, and your dependents — plus the HP applicant(s).

What benefits will the government provide for Afghans granted humanitarian parole?

The US government passed a continuing resolution on 9/30/21 authorizing refugee resettlement benefits for Afghan humanitarian parole recipients. According to the government document linked below, parolees "may be eligible for cash assistance, medical assistance, employment preparation, job placement, English language training, and other services offered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). [They] may also be eligible for federal “mainstream” (non-ORR funded) benefits, such as cash assistance through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), health insurance through Medicaid, and food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)." They will need to apply for the benefits upon arrival in the US.

What evidence of income must I provide?

Your last tax return, recent pay stubs, and bank account statements if those documents show evidence that you have met the federal poverty guidelines for sponsorship. You can use other documents if needed.

Who will see my financial documents?

You will be sending them directly to a document drop email where one person will review your documents to ensure they are complete, then they will be passed onto an attorney. Those are the only people that should see them.

Do I have to submit anything else in addition to my financial documents?

We ask that you complete a one-page “checklist” form with your name, address, etc. You can find this checklist on the Resources page under Sponsorship Resources.

Are there other legal ramifications to sponsorship?

Please consult an immigration attorney if you are concerned. People with security clearances may want to consider if sponsorship is right for them.

Can my church or company sponsor?

Yes, organizations can serve as sponsors. You will likely need to provide the tax return and bank statements for the organization. Also, a point of contact will need to be designated to sign the affidavit.

Is there a fee for the HP application?

Yes. It costs $575 for each application. This is the fee paid to the federal government. Sponsors do not have to pay any application fee for sponsoring. The applicant’s advocate will be required to find funding for this. If a sponsor desires to fund the application fee, it may be a welcomed help.

Can I link my donation to a specific Afghan individual or family?

At this time, we cannot confirm that your donation will go toward a specific individual or family, due to a variety of factors. Your donation will 100% go toward Afghans seeking Humanitarian Parole and the effort to get them to safety.

For advocates only: When and how do I pay the $575 application fee?

After the law firm works on the application, they will invoice you. It is best for the check to come from the law firm so they can track it. The easiest way to pay would be by credit/debit card, but other methods can be worked out. If you would like a tax-deductible method, you may submit it as a donation through the button on the Give page on this website.

What happens after I submit my documents? What is the timeline for a decision on the HP application and possible arrival in the US?

As mentioned above, documents will be submitted to a law firm who is doing the work pro bono, meaning for free. The firm drafts the HP application and will contact you for your signature on the affidavit of support and with any questions. Then the HP application will be submitted to the federal government. The government will send a notice that the application was received and will send requests for the applicant to do biometrics and an interview before the final decision is made on the application. We don’t know how this will play out yet for those still in Afghanistan. We don’t know how long this will take in general, as there are many applications being submitted right now. Our attorneys think it could be 45-90 days, possibly longer.

Who pays for the biometrics if the Afghan in Afghanistan needs to travel to a third country to have them done there?

We are unsure, but it is not the sponsor's responsibility. We have been told the fee for biometrics has been waived for Afghan HP applicants, but we are trying to find it in writing. The applicant may be required to travel to an embassy to have the biometrics done and pay the cost of travel. We have not seen this process happen yet, so we are not sure.

If the HP is approved, how do the HP applicants get to the US?

We believe they will have to pay for a plane ticket, but in a similar way to refugees and other special visa holders, the government may pay for their ticket and let them pay back the cost over many years. This is conjecture as we have not seen it happen yet.

What happens to the Afghan (if parole is approved) after they arrive in the US?

We are told they will be assigned to a resettlement agency who will assist them, and the Afghan can apply for resettlement benefits. We are unsure as to the level of input we will have as to where they resettle. Additionally, priority is given to resettle people near blood relatives.

If Humanitarian Parole is temporary, what will happen to Afghans when their time is up?

Afghans who come to the US will likely apply for other means to stay here, such as Special Immigrant Visas or asylum. Humanitarian parole is temporary, lasting one or two years.