advance parole is it safe to travel

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Advance Parole

Due to recent changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences for aliens who are in the process of adjusting their status or applying for an immigrant visa (refugees and asylees). Upon return, these aliens may be found inadmissible, their applications may be denied, or both. It is important that the alien obtain the proper documentation before leaving the United States.

Aliens who have pending applications for certain immigration benefits need Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad.

Aliens applying for advance parole on the basis of a pending application for adjustment of status must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment . Note: this does not apply to aliens who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who maintain H-1B (Specialty Worker) or L-1 (Intracompany Transferee) status, or their dependents, who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who have valid H-1B or L status and valid visas, V nonimmigrants who have a valid V nonimmigrant visa, are in valid V nonimmigrant status and have or obtain a valid V nonimmigrant visa before applying for readmission to the US, and K-3/4 nonimmigrants who have applied to adjust to permanent resident status and who have a valid K-3/4 nonimmigrant visa, are in valid K-3/4 nonimmigrant status and have or obtain a valid K-3/4 nonimmigrant visa before applying for readmission to the US.

An I-131 application for Advance Parole is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) pursuant to the instructions found on their Website.

Aliens in the United States should, prior to departure , obtain Advance Parole in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad if they have:

• Filed an application for adjustment of status but have not received a decision from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
• Hold refugee or asylee status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada; and/or
• An emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad.

Applicants who are the beneficiary of a Private bill and Applicants who are under deportation proceedings must file to the Department of Homeland Security, 425 I Street, NW, ATTN: Parole and Humanitarian Assistance Branch, Washington, DC 20536. Aliens in the United States are not eligible for Advance Parole if they are:

• In the United States illegally; or
• An exchange alien subject to the foreign residence requirement.

Please note that Advance Parole does not guarantee admission into the United States. Aliens with Advance Parole are still subject to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection process at the port of entry.

For more information, please visit the State Department website or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. To apply for a passport, U.S. citizens can visit State Department website or call the U.S. Passport Office at 1-877-4USA-PPT or TDD/TYY: 1-888-874-7793. Foreign residents should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.

• Immigration

Understanding the Risks of Travel with Advance Parole During I-485 Processing

Planning to travel with advance parole during i-485 processing be aware of the potential risks. this article discusses the implications of travel during the immigration application process and highlights the importance of understanding the potential risks involved..

Key Takeaways:

• Advance Parole allows individuals adjusting their immigration status to travel abroad without jeopardizing their pending applications.
• Risks of traveling on Advance Parole include abandonment of the application, delays in returning, and potential policy changes.
• Mitigate these risks by obtaining Advance Parole, staying updated on immigration news, and consulting with an attorney.

Understanding Advance Parole

Advance Parole is a document that allows individuals, who are in the process of adjusting their immigration status to that of a lawful permanent resident, the opportunity to travel abroad and re-enter the United States without jeopardizing their pending applications. It’s particularly relevant for those who have filed or are about to file Form I-485, the application for Adjustment of Status.

The Risks of Traveling on Advance Parole

Those who have chosen to apply for Advance Parole need to be aware of the associated risks, especially when it comes to the I-485 processing time frame. Here’s what you should consider before deciding to travel:

Abandonment of I-485 Application

Traveling without Advance Parole or before the document has been approved may lead to the abandonment of your I-485 application. This is a critical risk to assess because reapplying can be time-consuming and costly.

An Unexpected Delays in Returning to the US

Suppose there’s a sudden change in your personal circumstance or broader political climate, such as a pandemic or visa ban. In that case, re-entry to the US could be delayed, disrupting your presence in the country and impacting your pending application.

Impact of New Immigration Policies

Immigration laws and policies can change rapidly. New policies may affect the validity of your Advance Parole or your ability to return to the United States. It’s essential to stay updated on the latest immigration news and consult with immigration experts when considering travel.

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Starting your own business as an h-1b visa holder in the u.s., f2b petitioner death: is green card eligibility still possible.

Application Denial upon Return

Even with Advance Parole, your re-entry to the US is not guaranteed. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of entry will reevaluate your eligibility for admission. If there are grounds of inadmissibility found, you may face challenges.

Mitigating the Risks

Taking the following steps can help mitigate the risks associated with travel during the immigration application process:

• Obtain Advance Parole before planning any trips outside the United States.
• Wait for the I-485 receipt notice that confirms your application is being processed.
• Check the expiration date of your Advance Parole and plan to return to the US well before it expires.
• Stay abreast with the latest immigration news and policies.
• Always consult with an immigration attorney if you’re unsure about your travel plans and ensure you’re compliant with all requirements.

When Should You Consider Advance Parole?

Here are some situations where obtaining Advance Parole may be necessary:

• Emergencies that require your presence abroad, such as a family illness or death.
• Important educational, work-related, or professional obligations that can’t be postponed.

Even though Advance Parole exists for these reasons, remember that re-entry to the U.S. is at the discretion of border officials.

Travel during immigration application, particularly when your I-485 is processing, is fraught with risks. It’s crucial to fully understand the implications of traveling with Advance Parole to make informed decisions.

Before you decide to travel, always check the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for the most recent information regarding Advance Parole and consult with a legal expert.

Remember, the safest option may often be to remain in the United States until your adjustment of status is complete. This can help you avoid the I-485 processing risks that come with international travel.

And there you have it, my friends! Traveling during the immigration process can be a rollercoaster ride, but with a little Advance Parole knowledge, you’ll be prepared for the twists and turns. Remember to stay updated on the latest immigration policies, consult with experts, and always play it safe. For more tips and tricks on navigating the immigration journey, hop on over to visaverge.com. Happy travels!

FAQ’s to know:

1. What is Advance Parole and its significance in adjusting immigration status?

Advance Parole is a document that allows individuals in the process of adjusting their immigration status to travel abroad and re-enter the United States without jeopardizing their pending applications. It is particularly relevant for those filing Form I-485, the application for Adjustment of Status, and helps prevent the abandonment of the application due to international travel.

2. What are the risks of traveling on Advance Parole during the I-485 processing time frame?

Traveling without Advance Parole or before its approval can lead to the abandonment of your I-485 application, requiring costly and time-consuming reapplication. Additionally, unexpected delays in returning to the US due to personal circumstances, political climate changes, or pandemic-related restrictions can disrupt your presence and impact your pending application.

3. How can the risks associated with traveling on Advance Parole be mitigated?

To mitigate risks, it is crucial to obtain Advance Parole before planning international trips, wait for the I-485 receipt notice confirming processing, and return to the US before the Advance Parole expires. Regularly stay updated on immigration news and policies, consulting immigration attorneys to ensure compliance with requirements and informed decision-making.

What did you learn? Answer below to know:

• True or False: Traveling without an approved Advance Parole document can lead to the abandonment of an individual’s I-485 application.
• What are some risks associated with traveling on Advance Parole? (Choose all that apply) a) Unexpected delays in returning to the US b) Impact of new immigration policies c) Automatic approval of re-entry to the US d) Risk of application denial upon return
• When should you consider obtaining Advance Parole? (Choose the correct answer) a) Only in emergencies b) Only for educational obligations c) Only for work-related commitments d) In situations like emergencies, important obligations, and family or personal matters abroad

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Traveling with Advance Parole in 2024

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Introduction

This guide contains information on advance parole and what to expect before, during, and after traveling abroad.

USCIS continues to accept and adjudicate advance parole applications filed by DACA recipients.

*The September 13, 2o23 order from the Southern District of Texas and the ongoing DACA litigation has not stopped USCIS from issuing advance parole documents to DACA recipients. If that should change, USCIS will provide updated information.

Advance parole is a procedure by which certain noncitizens receive permission to reenter the U.S. after temporarily traveling abroad. This is a process that is part of the government’s broader authority to parole (or allow someone into the U.S.) based on its discretion.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues an advance parole travel document to travelers before they depart the U.S. While these travelers may use this document to travel back to the U.S., entry to the U.S. is dependent upon the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at a port of entry.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is an office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), adjudicates applications for advance parole.

Advance parole is an option for certain noncitizens within the U.S. This includes recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), T and U visa holders, and most applicants who have already applied for a green card. In this guide, we will discuss advance parole for DACA recipients.

• You cannot apply for advance parole if your DACA, employment authorization document (EAD), has expired and you have not submitted a renewal. If you apply for advance parole and your DACA expires while you are awaiting adjudication, you may supplement your advance parole application by mailing USCIS a copy of your new DACA approval notice. USCIS may also issue a Request For Evidence (RFE) to show that your DACA has been renewed.
• You may also need a visa if you are traveling to a country that requires you, as a citizen of your country of origin, to have a visa to enter.
• Study abroad programs or academic research
• Overseas assignments, conferences, interviews, trainings, or client meetings
• Humanitarian purposes include, but are not limited to Seeking medical treatment, visiting an ailing relative, or attending funeral services for a family member.
• Please note that this USCIS guidance is not an exhaustive list of examples. For example, an educational purpose may be a program through a private educational program or a non-profit organization. A humanitarian purpose might be a religious or other humanitarian mission. If the purpose for which you are seeking to travel is not listed, we suggest that you consult with a legal service provider . They can help you understand if your travel fits within a valid purpose.
• Before you apply for advance parole, you should consider consulting with a legal service provider to determine risk and eligibility based on your legal situation.
• Prior case in immigration court, whether or not you actually went to court or the case resulted in a removal order
• Contact with the criminal legal system (arrests, charges, or convictions), even if it did not make you ineligible for DACA
• Multiple prior entries to the U.S. without permission to re-enter
• Immigration-related fraud or misrepresentation to the government

Step #1 Check Eligibility

It is crucial that you check if you are eligible for advance parole. Things such as removal orders, unlawful presence, and other factors may make it difficult to come back to the United States after traveling with advance parole. Check with a lawyer if you are eligible and read the following section before applying for advance parole. 

There are various ways to get information about your immigration history.

• This is the easiest way and best way for most people to find out whether they have a removal order. 
• Please note that this system may not capture all information! A person’s information may simply not appear in this automated system. Others may have been assigned two different A numbers, depending on their immigration history. Make sure you check all your (and your family’s) immigration documents to see if you have more than one A#. Confirm that the A# associated with your DACA is the same one on any other immigration forms. 
• File a Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) request and ask for a copy of your “entire A file.” There are several different immigration agencies that may have your records: the immigration courts are within the Executive Office for Immigration Review ( EOIR ); USCIS will have records of any applications that you have filed; and  ICE and CBP may have records of any contact you have had with these agencies. Please note that each agency has different processing times for FOIA requests and it may take several months to look at your request and produce records.
• File a request for an FBI background check .
• Ask the people who brought you to the United States and/or your guardians growing up whether you were ever stopped by an immigration official, had any immigration court dates, or were in removal proceedings. If they are unsure, try the steps suggested above.

If you have a removal order and travel outside the country, you will execute that removal order. This will trigger negative immigration consequences, like being barred from re-entering the United States.

Step #2 Apply for Advance Parole

• Write a cover letter: Explaining the purpose of travel and summarizing the documents included in your application ( see example )
• Fill out the advance parole application: USCIS Form I-131 (Read the instructions carefully!) Currently, you must file a paper application and cannot apply for advance parole through the myUSCIS portal. Here are instructions on how to fill out the application. The instructions are general and not legal advice.
• Write a statement explaining purpose of travel
• Gather evidence supporting purpose of travel (see chart below)
• A copy of your most recent DACA Approval Notice (USCIS Form I-797)
• A copy of your Employment Authorization Document
• Two passport-sized photos
• Application Fee (currently $630) personal check, cashier’s check or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. For the latest USCIS fees, visit their website .

The following chart suggests some forms of evidence that can help applicants with DACA demonstrate their valid purpose for traveling abroad on advance parole. For additional help in determining what sorts of documents to provide as evidence supporting your reason to travel, see the “ General Requirements ” portion of the USCIS instructions, on Page 8 at 1.c.(5).

Make two copies of your entire application. Keep a set with you and leave one with your attorney or family member. It is a good idea to travel with a copy of your application to show your purpose of travel when re-entering and ENSURE you travel with the original copy of your advance parole approval form I-512l.

You can submit your complete Form I-131 and supporting documents to USCIS by mail. You can find out the specific direct filing address to use by visiting the USCIS website and clicking on the “Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” subheading.

If you are experiencing an extremely urgent situation, you may request an emergency advance parole appointment at your local field office. Please see our guide on emergency advance parole .

If you are not traveling for emergency reasons, it is recommended that you submit your application more than six months before your desired date of travel. Processing times are unpredictable and vary.

Yes, you can include multiple reasons for which you need to travel.

Yes, this falls under a humanitarian purpose for traveling. Many people who did not have the opportunity to attend their family members’ funerals would like to visit their graves. This reason is not time-limited or limited to immediate family members; however, it is important to describe why this visit falls under a humanitarian purpose.

If the relative is more distant, you should describe why this relationship was so important (e.g. an aunt who raised you when you were a child). If their death was a long time ago, explain why you were unable to attend until now (e.g. you were a child, you didn’t have DACA, COVID made travel unsafe, etc.).

Yes! DACA recipients can request to travel abroad for medical reasons, which falls under the humanitarian travel purpose.

If the DACA recipient needs to travel abroad for their own medical reason, they should submit documentation from their doctor or dentist with their diagnosis, the treatment required, and how long it will take. They should also provide evidence, such as their own statement, on why they can’t obtain the specific medical treatment in the U.S., such as lack of health insurance or unaffordability.

If this is an urgent situation and you need advance parole immediately, see this guide.

Yes, DACA recipients may travel abroad to care for a relative who is undergoing a medical procedure. In this scenario, they should provide a letter from the relative’s doctor explaining when the procedure will take place and whether a caregiver is required. The DACA recipient should explain in their statement why they need to be a caregiver in this situation.

If this is an urgent situation and you need advance parole immediately, see this guide .

No. DACA recipients can only travel for educational, employment, and humanitarian purposes.

The Form I-131 instructions (see pp. 10-11) lists what documents an advance parole applicant should attach to their application and provides some suggestions of acceptable evidence. For the specific purpose of traveling (educational, employment, or humanitarian), it really depends on the reason!

It helps to think through the “who, what, when, where, and why” of your travel plans. Do you have evidence to answer each of those questions? It is especially important to include the time frame for the travel and why you need that period of time.

EMERGENCY Advance Parole as a DACA recipient

Risks of traveling abroad.

The advance parole document authorizes parole, but the decision to parole (or allow someone to physically enter the U.S.) is up to the discretion of a CBP officer at a port of entry. That could be either at the border or an airport. Certain circumstances may heighten the risk of being denied entry. It is important to consider the risks and be prepared for any potential situations that may arise.

Risk Factors to Consider:

• Traveling outside the parole date authorized by the advance parole document
• Traveling when DACA authorization (reflected on the dates on your employment authorization document) has expired
• Prior deportation or “voluntary departure” order
• Multiple prior periods of unlawful presence in the U.S.
• Contacts with the criminal system — whether they resulted in a conviction or not — that could lead to an “inadmissibility” finding

If any of these apply to you or you are not sure, always consult with an immigration attorney prior to traveling or applying for advance parole.

• Eligibility for a green card through Adjustment of Status rather than consular processing: If a DACA recipient initially entered the U.S. without inspection, traveling abroad on advance parole may have a positive effect on future immigration applications. If such a person is applying for a green card, they would generally have to complete the application at a U.S. Consulate in their home country, a process known as consular processing. With an entry on Advance Parole, a DACA recipient would be able to complete the green card “adjustment of status” process in the U.S.
• DACA Renewal: Trouble renewing DACA because you traveled outside of the advance parole dates or traveled with an expired DACA.
• Permanent Bar: If a person was deemed inadmissible under the “permanent bar” they will be denied entry into the U.S. They might be able to apply for permission to re-enter the U.S. after being outside the country for 10 years.
• Waiver for future Re-entry: If a person was deemed inadmissible due to contact with the criminal justice system, they might be denied entry into the U.S. They would need to be eligible for a waiver to legally re-enter in the future.
• Hinge future residency on physical presence in the US: If there’s any legislation for pathway to citizenship that is contingent on someone’s physical presence in the U.S. on a specific date. (e.g. DACA, that requires an individual to prove that they were in the U.S. on June 15, 2012). If someone is not physically present on that date, there might be a small risk that they would not be eligible.

Step #3 Preparing to Travel

Preparing to leave the U.S. with advance parole is CRUCIAL! When you return to the United States, you will go through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection where you will be questioned by a CBP officer. You MUST pack your original advance parole document along with other important documents. Otherwise, you may not be allowed back in the U.S. Carry your original:

• Current, valid passport from your country of origin
• Your original advance parole document (scan a copy of this before you travel for your records)
• Employment authorization card (EAD)
• State ID or driver’s license
• Student ID (if applicable)
• (If you have an attorney) Attorney’s Form G-28 and their business card with contact information

Also carry the original copies of the documents listed below, as well as a copy of your advance parole application. Ensure you are prepared for any questions from CBP and be aware of your rights.

• Your most recent DACA approval notice
• Your advance parole application in its entirety
• Evidence that you traveled abroad for your intended purpose (e.g. relevant medical documents, educational coursework, conference materials, etc.)

If you are traveling anywhere other than your country of origin, ensure you check the specific country requirements. You should check whether you’ll need a visa, what type, and how long it will take to process. We advise that you do this while your advance parole application is processing, as the consulate will take time and need your passport while processing a visa application.

Yes, your U.S. citizen child will need a passport to travel. You can make an appointment to get your child’s passport through the U.S. Postal Service website. Making your child’s passport may take several months.

As with all travel, there is a risk. In this case, if there are medical complications or the baby arrives early, there is a risk that you may not be able to re-enter the U.S. within the time frame that your advance parole document allows.

Step #4 Re-Entering the U.S. on Advance Parole

Returning to the United States by Air. If you enter through a United States airport, you will pass through U.S. Immigration and Customs. You will be processed in the “Visitor” line, rather than the line for U.S. citizens and residents. You can ask an officer at the airport if you are not sure in which line you wait. Upon speaking with a Customs and Border Protection officer at the booth, it is likely that your passport will be taken and another CBP officer will be called to escort you to a separate room for secondary screening. There, a CBP officer will ask you additional questions, may check your belongings (including electronics), and will finish processing your re-entry by putting an entry stamp in your passport.

Returning to the U.S. by Land.

• If you travel to the United States by land in a vehicle (such as by car over the U.S.-Canada border or U.S.-Mexico border) at a designated Port of Entry (POE), you will have to present your advance parole travel document and passport to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. If you are sent to secondary inspection, CBP may ask you to park your vehicle and step outside of the vehicle to wait while they further inspect your documents, belongings, and/or the vehicle.
• If you travel to the United States by foot at a POE, you will have to enter a processing facility to present your documents to a CBP officer. If you are placed in secondary inspection while traveling by foot, CBP may ask you to enter another designated room within the facility where you will present your advance parole travel document and supporting documentation to another officer.

What to consider before reentry:

• Ensure you aren’t carrying any of the items on the CBP Prohibited and Restricted Items list.
• Consider the destination of your returning flight based on previous DACA recipients’ experiences with CBP in certain airports. You will go through the inspection process at the first airport you land in the U.S.
• If you have a connecting flight to your home city, be sure to give yourself ample additional time for any subsequent airline connections.
• Make a list of all emergency contacts (hard copy, not on the phone). Try to have an immigration attorney or congressional staffer in your district as an emergency contact. Carry their business card(s) if possible.
• Let a family member(s) know of your anticipated time of departure and arrival before traveling. You may not be allowed to use your cell phone until you clear inspection.
• Use the restroom before inspection and keep water and snacks with you.

A CBP officer will ask questions about your trip abroad when you are re-entering the U.S., such as:

• What was the reason for your trip abroad?
• For how long were you gone?
• Did you purchase anything while you were abroad? If so, what did you purchase?
• What countries did you visit?
• Where did you stay?
• What documents do you have with you?
• What do you do in the U.S.? (e.g., work, school, etc.)

If you have any prior tickets or arrests (even those that didn’t result in convictions), CBP might question you about the circumstances of those incidents. CBP may also question you about your immigration history, including when and how you initially entered the U.S. If you have concerns about these lines of questioning, please consult with an immigration attorney prior to traveling.

After processing, the border official will hand you back your original forms of identification. They may stamp your advance parole travel document or your passport.

In many cases, the border official will keep the original advance parole travel document; the stamp in your passport will serve as proof of re-entry with parole.

You may also obtain your I-94 online through the CBP website . Keep copies of your advance parole document, entry stamp in your passport, and I-94 printout as they will be useful to you when renewing DACA and in future immigration processes.

Anxiety about traveling and re-entering is very real! The best thing you can do is prepare for what to expect by reading about the process, speaking with other DACA recipients who have traveled on advance parole, and arranging support.

This may mean discussing a plan ahead of time with your attorney, if you have one, and carrying their form G-28 with you when you travel. You can also contact your Congressional representative to explain your situation and ask for a contact at their office in case you run into problems at the border.

Yes, this is a very real possibility, although it is still a contested area of law. Immigration officials at the border have a lot of power to search your belongings, including your electronic devices.

Because the decision to parole someone into the U.S. is discretionary, it is risky for a DACA recipient to refuse to hand over their phone or argue with an immigration official. It is best for travelers to anticipate that their phone may be searched and to prepare ahead of time to keep their information private.

Always be thoughtful with what information you make public. The guidelines for DACA recipients applying for advance parole list the three valid purposes for traveling (educational, employment, and humanitarian) and then state “travel for vacation is not a valid purpose.”

When you fly back to the United States, it is most likely the airline will have you complete check-in in person and not online.

When you go up to the counter the airline attendants may ask to see your U.S. visa or green card, this is when you let them know you are traveling with advance parole. They may ask to see your document. Make sure the airline doesn’t keep your original advance parole document, you will need to show CBP upon re-entering the United States.

Some airlines are not aware of what advance parole is so it may take some time for them to validate this. Ensure you go to the airport with enough time in case it takes long for them to check .

Passport Control Outside the U.S. If you have a connecting flight outside the U.S. you may go through “Passport Control.” Once again, they may ask for your U.S. visa or green card. Let them know that you reside in the U.S. and are traveling with advance parole, a special document issued by the U.S. government that allows you to re-enter the U.S. Depending on the agent they may ask to see the advance parole document. Ensure you have enough time to complete this so that you don’t miss your connecting flight. Make sure they don’t keep your original advance parole document, you will need to show CBP upon re-entering the United States.

U.S. Preclearance Facilities are in 15 airports outside the United States (in Canada, Caribbean, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates). Located in foreign airports, CBP officers have travelers go through the custom and inspections process prior to boarding their U.S.-bound flights. If you are flying back through one of these airports, we suggest you arrive and check-in early. CBP officers, even those working in a foreign country, should be aware of parole and familiar with the advance parole travel document. If they are not, we suggest you have the DACA USCIS page and Advance Parole page printed in case you need to explain your travel document to them.

Check Out Eliana’s Advance Parole Story

Additional FAQ

No. At this time, DACA recipients must mail in their advance parole applications.

If you are getting a document translated it must be accompanied by a certificate of translation. Although advance parole applications are not filed before the immigration court, their template can be used for filings with USCIS. See the template here . Any person who is fluent in another language and English and can translate between the two languages can translate your document and sign the certificate.

No. USCIS does not refund fees, regardless of any action they take on your application.

Any time a DACA recipient changes their residence, they should complete a Form AR-11 . This is especially important if the DACA recipient is requesting emergency advance parole in-person at a USCIS field office. If a previous address outside the field office’s jurisdiction is on file, the field officers may want to see that an AR-11 was filed.

If you lost the Form I-512L advance parole document, then you will have to refile the application with the fee. You can note that an advance parole document was previously issued but lost. Same goes for any mistakes in names or dates that were present on your I-131 application; however, if USCIS is responsible for the typo or erroneous dates, you do not have to pay the filing fee.

You can also use USCIS’s online tools to put in a service request if the document was lost in the mail. If you can show a USCIS error (e.g. they mailed the advance parole document to a different address than the one you put on the I-131 form), this may be helpful. However, USCIS may not respond to this service request for several weeks.

If you are close to your intended travel date and there is an emergency, you may request an InfoPass appointment at your local USCIS field office. For more information see this guide .

Everyone’s case is different and everyone assumes different risks. If you are scheduling an appointment with an attorney, ask them if they regularly apply for advance parole for DACA recipients. For more tips on how to find a good immigration lawyer, see this guide .

You must respond to USCIS’s Request for Evidence (RFE) by the stated deadline. Failure to do so will result in a denial of your application. USCIS may send an RFE if your intended date of travel has passed. If you are flexible with your plans, you may request new dates and offer updated evidence (e.g. flexible study abroad program, ongoing health needs of relative abroad, etc.).

A scenario question would best answer this. Keep in mind that you should NOT travel on advance parole if your DACA renewal is expired. You will most likely not be let back inside the United States if you travel internationally with advance parole and your DACA is expired.

Let’s say it is April 2024 and Sara plans to study abroad in September 2024. Sara’s DACA expires in July 2024 and she already submitted her DACA renewal application two months ago. Sara worries that if she waits until her DACA application is adjudicated, it will be too late for her to apply for advance parole. What should Sara do?

Sara should apply for advance parole as soon as possible (keeping in mind the 4.5-month processing time currently listed on the USCIS website). She can attach proof of her current DACA authorization, the receipt notice to show that her renewal is in process, and note in the advance parole cover letter that she will supplement her application with proof of her renewed DACA authorization once she receives it.

When filing a DACA renewal, you must respond to the questions that ask about travel. You should attach copies of your advance parole document, entry stamp in your passport, and a printout of your Form I-94 that you can obtain online.

If a DACA recipient entered without inspection by an immigration official, they are not able to apply for a green card in the U.S. (the “adjustment of status” process) and will have to travel to their home country to have an interview at a U.S. consulate there (“consular processing”).

If a DACA recipient travels on advance parole and is paroled back into the country, they may then go through the adjustment of status process in the U.S. and obtain their green card without leaving the U.S.

Make sure to speak to an attorney about your specific case and if advance parole is the best option for you. See this guide for help on where to find a lawyer.

Additional resources

• Topics covered include funding, how to apply, and preparing for travel. This resource also features audio stories from DACA recipients who have traveled outside the United States using Advance Parole.
• American University’s Defending the AU Dream Initiative— Advance Parole for DACA Recipients: Considerations for Traveling or Studying Abroad
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center, DACA: PREPARING FOR RE-ENTRY AFTER TRAVELING ON ADVANCE PAROLE

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Form I-131: The Advance Parole Travel Document Explained

If you have or are applying for a green card, DACA status, or certain humanitarian visas, and you want to travel outside the United States, you need to get a travel document from the U.S. government. You apply for this document by filing Form I-131: Application for Travel Document with USCIS. This allows you to get what’s called an Advance Parole document. Below is a guide on how to apply for Advance Parole step-by-step as well as tips for to plan for your temporary travel.

Written by Jonathan Petts .  Updated September 24, 2023

What Is Advance Parole?

An Advance Parole document allows current green card applicants to leave the United States for temporary travel and return without disrupting their green card (permanent resident card) application process. There are a few situations you can be in while applying for Advance Parole, such as: having a pending application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or being a DACA recipient. In this article, we are focusing on individuals applying for Advance Parole with a pending green card application . 

To apply for Advance Parole, you must file Form I-131: Application for Travel Document with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Green card applicants looking to travel abroad for any reason must obtain Advance Parole before leaving the United States. If you leave the U.S. without the proper travel documents, USCIS will close your green card application.  

Why Do I Need Advance Parole?

You need Advance Parole if you have a pending green card (permanent resident card) application and want to take a trip outside the United States. If you leave the United States without Advance Parole and USCIS hasn’t approved your green card application, the agency will consider your case abandoned and likely deny for application.

If USCIS closes your green card application, you have to start the process over again, which is expensive and time-consuming. To avoid this, you need to complete Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and apply for Advance Parole before leaving the U.S.

You do not need to apply for Advance Parole if you are waiting for USCIS to process your Form I-485 and you are: 

A temporary worker under a valid H-1 visa (or their spouse or child)

An intra-company transferee under a valid L-1 visa (or their spouse or child)

Who Is Eligible for Advance Parole?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. You’re eligible to apply for Advance Parole if you fall within one of these categories:

You submitted an adjustment of status green card application using Form I-485

You applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)* 

You submitted an asylum application or you are an asylee

You currently have a pending application for temporary resident status under Section 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

USCIS granted you TPS, T nonimmigrant, or U nonimmigrant status 

USCIS or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) granted you humanitarian parole under Section 212 (d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

You received benefits through the Family Unity Program

You’re a DACA recipient

*On July 1, 2022 USCIS began issuing a new travel authorization document for people who receive TPS. This new form is called: Form I-512T, Authorization for Travel by a Noncitizen to the United States.

Who Is Not Eligible for Advance Parole?

You aren’t eligible for Advance Parole if one or more of the following applies to you:

You are residing in the United States without valid immigration status after entering unlawfully many times

You have a valid reentry permit or refugee document 

You are on a J visa or a visa with a foreign residence requirement

You are a beneficiary of a private immigration bill approved by Congress

You are currently in the middle of a removal proceeding (deportation)

You are an asylee or a refugee, but you’re not adjusting your status to a green card 

If you’ve been in the United States unlawfully, you may file for Advance Parole. However, even if granted, you still may be barred from reentry by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

If you’ve lived in the United States without status for any period of time, you should always consult an immigration lawyer before traveling abroad. If you can't afford a lawyer, you can contact a legal aid office for help.

How Do I Apply for Advance Parole? A Step-by-Step Guide

First, you will need to complete the official application form, called Form I-131: Application for Travel Document. When you have completed the form, you will have to gather the government filing fees and supporting documentation, and then finally submit them together with Form I-131 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Step 1: Complete Form I-131

Form I-131 is officially called the Application for Travel Document. This document is used for anyone applying for a Reentry Permit, a Refugee Travel Document, and Advance Parole. You cannot submit your travel permit request to the U.S. government without completing and signing this form. 

You can complete the form in two ways — either online by creating a MyUSCIS account or on paper by downloading, printing, and completing the most recent version of Form I-131 from the USCIS website. You will need your Alien Registration Number (A Number) to complete your application.

Step 2: Gather Fees & Supporting Documents for Form I-131

When you have completed Form I-131, it is time to gather the $575 filing fee and the required supporting documents. You must include these supporting documents with the Form I-131 application:

Your receipt notice from USCIS after filing Form I-485, if your green card is pending

Two passport-style photographs 

USCIS-issued document showing the validity of your current immigration status — this could be an approval/receipt notice ( Form I-797 )

A photocopy of a government-issued identification document (ID), which must include your name, date of birth, and a photo — examples of acceptable forms of ID include a passport, drivers license, and employment authorization document (EAD)

Marriage certificate (if applying for Advance Parole based on your spouse’s pending green card application)

Child’s birth certificate (if applying for Advance Parole for a child based on a pending child green card application)

Detailed evidence explaining your reasons for traveling — you can explain your reasons with a Declaration of Support Letter

If any of your supporting documents aren’t in English, USCIS requires the documents be accompanied by a certified English translation .

It’s also a good idea to include a cover letter for your application. This short letter explains what supporting documents are in your application and helps keep things organized.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You can submit your completed Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and supporting documents to USCIS either online or by mail. To submit online, you must first create a MyUSCIS account . Then you can submit your petition through your account on the USCIS website.

If you choose to submit your USCIS forms by mail, you will have to send your application packet to a specific USCIS filing address. The address depends on where you live and what mail service you use to send your forms. For Advance Parole applicants who have a pending Form I-485 (green card) application, you’ll send your documents either to the USCIS lockbox in Chicago, Dallas, or Phoenix. The USCIS website lists these addresses .

If You’re Filing Form I-131 Overseas

If you’re filing Form I-131 overseas, you must first get permission from your local U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll have to set up an appointment with your local U.S. embassy to make your request in person. The State Department has an up-to-date list of all U.S. embassies and consulates.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Advance Parole?

The filing fee for Form I-131 is $575. If you cannot afford this filing fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver by filing Form I-912 . You can also check out our tips for fundraising the fees .

You can pay using a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card. All checks should be made payable to the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” If you’re using a credit card, you must also file Form G-1450 : Authorization for Credit Card Transactions with your Form I-131 application. USCIS can only process your credit card payment using Form G-1450. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Advance Parole?

It’s currently taking USCIS 6 to 18 months to process Advance Parole applications. Processing times vary a lot by USCIS service center and may change over time. Your Form I-131 application can be delayed if you didn’t fill it out completely and correctly, mail it to the correct address, and ensure USCIS received it. 

The application processing time may take longer if the USCIS service center handling your case is experiencing significant processing backlogs. You can see USCIS’ current processing times on its webpage.

I Have an Emergency. Can I Get Advance Parole Quicker?

In some cases, USCIS will expedite applications. This can reduce the processing time to 30 days. To expedite your Advance Parole document application, you must demonstrate to USCIS that:

You’ve suffered a financial loss to your company or person

You’re experiencing an emergency

You have a valid humanitarian reason

You’re affiliated with a nonprofit organization requesting an expedited application for culture or social interests benefiting the United States

Your request is made by the Department of Defense or another U.S. government agency to promote the national interest

USCIS made an administrative error

You have another compelling interest determined by USCIS

USCIS grants emergency Advance Parole requests based on its officers’ discretion in emergencies. To do this, you will have to visit the nearest USCIS office with the following documents:

A completed Form I-131

Evidence supporting the emergency request

Two passport-style photos

Successful emergency Advance Parole requests are usually processed on the same day. 

What You Need To Know When Traveling With Advance Parole

Once you’ve successfully applied for Advance Parole, you cannot leave the United States until you’ve received your physical travel document. 

Typically, an Advance Parole document allows you temporary travel for up to one year abroad. However, USCIS reserves the right to revoke your Advance Parole document for any reason. If this happens, you cannot return to the United States without a valid U.S. visa or other documentation. 

You should also be mindful of scheduled fingerprinting ( biometric services ) and interview appointments. Although your travel permit may allow temporary travel for up to one year, you may miss many of these appointments without regularly returning to the U.S. 

The same goes for regularly receiving mailed communications (such as a notice of action ) from USCIS, which help you understand the status of your application. It’s best to make arrangements to receive mail while traveling abroad or update your mailing address with USCIS.

Reentry Into the U.S.

It is important to know that even if you have a valid Advance Parole document , there is no guarantee you can reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad. When arriving at a port of entry upon your return to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct an inspection and determine your admission back into the U.S. Unfortunately, DHS could deny your reentry. 

It is also possible for DHS to revoke your Advance Parole at any time, including while you are abroad. This can happen even if your Form I-131 application has been approved and you have the correct Advance Parole documents. With these risks, it is crucial to determine whether temporary travel outside of the United States is necessary.

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Home » Blog » Advance Parole Travel with Adjustment of Status

Advance Parole Travel with Adjustment of Status

January 23, 2024 Apply for Green Card Travel Documents

During the adjustment of status process, the applicant remains in the United States while waiting for their green card. But it can take several months to receive status as a permanent resident after filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status. Many applicants may want (or need) to travel abroad during this time for the purpose of visiting family, taking a vacation, or even tending to urgent matters. However, leaving without the proper documentation will likely put the beneficiary's adjustment of status application in jeopardy. Generally, an adjustment applicant that leaves the United States without an advance parole travel document will abandon the I-485 application and will have trouble re-entering.

Why is an advance parol travel document so important for I-485 applicants? How do I request advance parole with my adjustment of status case? How much does advance parole cost? What can I do if there is an urgent need to travel abroad? Does advance parole guarantee my re-entry to the U.S.? What else should I know about my advance parole travel document? Does every adjustment of status applicant need advance parole? How can I get help with this process

Why I-485 Applicants Must Obtain Advance Parole Travel Documentation

Non-citizens applying for a green card through adjustment of status generally must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment. Additionally, advance parole may be necessary to re-enter the U.S.

With a little planning, the adjustment of status applicant can obtain an advance parole document and easily avoid these problems. Advance parole for adjustment of status applicants resolves two issues:

• Allows the adjustment of status applicant to return to the U.S. after travel abroad without obtaining a visa; and
• Preserves a pending adjustment of status application (Form I-485) already filed with USCIS.

Typically, anyone with a pending I-485 that anticipates a need to leave the United States (even for a day) should obtain an advance parole travel document, but there are some exceptions to the requirement.

How to Apply for Advance Parole

Obtaining an advance parole travel document is fairly simple, particularly if you apply at the time of filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status.

Advance Parole Application Package

Adjustment of status applicants may use Form I-131, Application for Travel Document , to request Advance Parole. When preparing the advance parole application package, applicants should include all of the following items:

• Prepared and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
• Copy of a government-issued identity document (with photo, name and date of birth) such as an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) or passport
• Two identical passport-style color photographs
• Copy of I-485 receipt notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) if I-485 was previously filed and is still pending

You can download the application and filing instructions from the USCIS website . Applicants that want some additional reassurance that their application is prepared correctly can use the CitizenPath. CitizenPath provides simple, step-by-step instructions and even guarantees that USCIS will approve the application. There is no sign up or fee to get started. You pay upon completion. Learn more about the Travel Document Package >

In most cases, there is no interview associated with the Form I-131 application.

When to Submit the I-131 Application

You may submit Form I-131 at any time that I-485 is pending. However, it's typically easiest (and fastest) to file Form I-131 concurrently with Form I-485

You may submit Form I-131 to request an advance parole travel document at the same time you submit your green card application. This is the quickest way to get your application in the queue for processing. If there's any chance you will travel while Form I-485 is pending, we recommend that you submit the application concurrently.

However, you may file Form I-131 at a later date if necessary. You will need the Form I-485 receipt number so that USCIS can link your case. We've found that I-131 applications submitted after the initial I-485 filing take longer to process.

Form I-485 Processing Time

Advance parole for adjustment of status applicants fees.

At the time of writing this article, there is no USCIS filing fee for Form I-131 when applying for an advance parole document based on adjustment of status. Normally, the Form I-131 fee for an advance parole travel document is $575. Specifically, there is no USCIS fee for advance parole if you filed a Form I-485 (adjustment of status application) on/after July 30, 2007, with a fee, and that I-485 application is still pending.

However, USCIS has announced a new fee structure that will change the filing fee for adjustment of status applicants. Once this new fee structure is implemented, I-485 will pay the full fee of $660 when filing Form I-131.

When filing Form I-131 for advance parole with a pending adjustment application, we recommend that you include a cover letter to explain why no fee is included. View a sample cover letter for Advance Parole >

New USCIS Fee Increase Published by Biden Administration

Urgent requests for an advance parole travel document.

USCIS processing times for Form I-131 are currently greater than six months for most cases. This could be a problem if you’re traveling for an extremely urgent situation. USCIS may expedite your case if you have a dire emergency and can evidence the urgent need to travel. USCIS is willing to consider an emergency request for advance parole on a case-by-case basis. You will need to provide evidence to support the emergency request (e.g. medical documentation, death certificate). If you are preparing your Advance Parole application through CitizenPath , we can also provide more detailed directions in your filing instructions.

What You Should Know About Advance Parole

An advance parole travel document is not a guarantee for re-entry to the United States. You are still subject to the standard immigration inspection at a port of entry to determine admissibility into the U.S.

If you have any period of unlawful presence in the U.S., consult with an attorney before filing Form I-131 or traveling abroad. Unlawful presence can include time after unlawfully entering the U.S. or time in the U.S. with an expired visa. If this may apply to you, speak to an experienced immigration attorney before attempting to request advance parole.

Generally, asylees and refugees should not travel to the country you claimed persecution. By returning to that country, your actions suggest that you do not fear persecution. Your application will be denied and could negatively affect your asylum/refugee status in the U.S. In some cases, there are legitimate reasons for returning to the country you claimed persecution. If this applies to you, please speak to an experienced immigration attorney before filing Form I-131.

Traveling with Advance Parole

Known formally as Form I-512L, Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States, the advance parole document, is often printed on a standard, letter-size piece of paper. It is generally valid for a period of one year. However, advance parole travel should be limited to a period of less than 90 days.

Applicants that applied for employment authorization concurrently may receive an Employment Authorization Card with “Serves as I-512 Advanced Parole" printed on the front.

Upon receiving the document from USCIS, review it to confirm all of the information is correct. An advance parole document will also include the last day that it may be used to re-enter the U.S. Be sure that your travel is complete and that you return before this date.

Take the original AP document with you when you leave the United States. You’ll need to present it before getting on a plane, ship, bus, or train headed back to the U.S. and to the Customs and Border Protection officer when you arrive.

When traveling with advance parole as an adjustment of status applicant, remember to:

• Take your original Advance Parole Document
• Take a photocopy of the I-797C Notice of Action confirming that your I-485 application was accepted
• Return before the deadline on your Advance Parole Document – leave extra time in case of travel delays

Exceptions to Advance Parole Requirements

In certain situations, adjustment of status applicants are not required to obtain an advance parole document. If you hold a valid H-1, H-4, K-3, K-4, L-1, L-2, V-2, or V-3 visa or status, you may travel without advance parole approval provided that you maintain your status. For example, you don’t need advance parole if you are traveling for the same employer that sponsored your H or L visa. The H or L status must be valid, and you must have evidence that you filed an adjustment of status application. Carry the Form I-797C Notice of Action that confirms you have filed Form I-485.

However, obtaining advance parole may be a useful strategy even if it isn't "required." For example, an H-1B worker may also have a pending adjustment of status case. If an H-1B renewal is denied while the beneficiary is outside the U.S., they will not be able to re-enter with H-1B status to resume the green card application process. By applying for and receiving an advance parole travel document before departing, that person has a backup strategy to re-enter the U.S. and finish adjustment of status (regardless of H-1B status).

About CitizenPath

CitizenPath provides simple, affordable, step-by-step guidance through USCIS immigration applications. Individuals, attorneys and non-profits use the service on desktop or mobile device to prepare immigration forms accurately, avoiding costly delays. CitizenPath allows users to try the service for free and provides a 100% money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve the application or petition. We provide support for the Adjustment of Status Package (Form I-485) , Travel Document Package (Form I-131) , and several other immigration services .

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You can learn more about the holiday here and explore ways you can celebrate black joy. you can also read the clinic statement on racial injustice here ., important information and resources related to covid-19 pandemic, breadcrumbs, when is advance parole an option, last updated.

Recent court decisions and policy changes impacting recipients of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, may have created confusion about who can seek advance parole and in what circumstances. This article summarizes who is eligible for advance parole, as well as the possible risks and benefits of traveling with it.

Advance parole is a travel document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, on Form I-512L that allows certain noncitizens inside the United States to depart and seek to reenter the country after temporary travel abroad. The categories of noncitizens who qualify for advance parole from USCIS include the following:

• Applicants for adjustment of status must obtain advance parole before departing the United States to avoid abandoning their pending I-485 application (with narrow exceptions for certain applicants who hold valid nonimmigrant visas). Non-emergency advance parole based on a pending adjustment application may be granted when travel is for bona fide business or personal reasons. Applicants are not required to document a specific reason for the travel and advance parole is routinely granted regardless of the basis of the pending adjustment application (family-based, employment-based, asylum/refugee status, U and T nonimmigrant status, etc.).
• Applicants for asylum must also seek advance parole before departing the United States for temporary travel to avoid abandoning a pending I-589 application. Generally, it is not recommended to travel unless there is an urgent need to do so. While asylum applicants may be granted advance parole, they should be advised that returning to the country of claimed persecution or traveling with a passport from that country could undercut the basis of their asylum claim.
• TPS recipients must have valid advance parole to depart and reenter the United States without breaking the continuous physical presence requirement for maintaining TPS. Advance parole is routinely granted to TPS recipients without documentation of the specific reason for the travel.
• DACA recipients may seek advance parole, but only if they need to travel for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes. Humanitarian purposes include travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative. Educational purposes include semester-abroad programs and academic research. Employment purposes include overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, training, or meeting with clients overseas. More details are available in CLINIC’s FAQ on Advance Parole Travel for DACA Recipients .
• Other noncitizens who may seek advance parole include recipients of humanitarian parole under INA § 212(d)(5) who can demonstrate their travel is for an urgent humanitarian reason or furthers a significant public benefit. Also, some U nonimmigrants reported their being issued advance parole for temporary travel aboard during the Obama administration, but these requests were no longer approved during the Trump administration.

Advance parole applications are filed with USCIS using Form I-131 . The current filing fee is $575. Advance parole applications are not eligible for a fee waiver. However, a pending adjustment applicant who filed Form I-485 on or after July 30, 2007 and paid the I-485 fee may seek advance parole without paying an additional 1-131 fee. All applicants must indicate on the I-131 the purpose of their travel, the country or countries they intend to visit, the number of trips planned, and the circumstances that warrant issuance of advance parole.

Applicants must obtain the advance parole document before departing the United States. If the applicant leaves the country before advance parole is issued, the I-131 application will be considered abandoned. This is in contrast to an I-131 applicant for a re-entry permit or refugee travel document who can depart the country after attending the biometrics appointment and retrieve the document at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas (assuming this is requested on the I-131).

Expedited processing of a pending advance parole application is available in certain situations, including severe financial loss to a company or person, urgent humanitarian reasons, and when requested by a nonprofit organization to further the cultural and social interests of the United States. In the event of an extremely urgent travel need, clients may call the USCIS Contact Center to request an in-person appointment to apply for an emergency advance parole document at a USCIS field office. Applicants must bring a completed I-131, filing fee, evidence to support the emergency travel request, and two passport photos.

What are the risks involved in advance parole travel? A grant of advance parole from USCIS does not guarantee reentry to the United States. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, inspects advance parole holders at the port-of-entry and has the discretion to find someone inadmissible under INA § 212(a) or otherwise deny entry. Note that in Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly , the Board of Immigration Appeals held that travel for an adjustment applicant on advance parole does not constitute a “departure” for purposes of triggering the ten-year unlawful presence bar under INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II). USCIS has also applied this analysis to individuals with TPS and DACA. Keep in mind that someone with an unexecuted removal order who departs on advance parole may be found to have executed the order and could face future immigration consequences, such as the inability to reenter the United States for ten years unless an I-212 waiver is granted. However, in the context of a TPS holder with an unexecuted order, USCIS has stated that travel with advance parole does not execute the order.

What about the potential benefits of advance parole travel? In addition to meeting the noncitizen’s underlying reasons for travel, entry with advance parole may make some individuals eligible for adjustment of status under INA § 245(a). For example, someone who entered the United States without inspection but subsequently left and returned under advance parole may now be considered to have been “inspected and admitted or paroled.” If that parolee has an immigrant visa immediately available, is not inadmissible, and is not subject to any of the 245(c) bars to adjustment, he or she may qualify to adjust status under section 245(a). This typically benefits "immediate relatives" (the spouses or children of U.S. citizens or the parents of adult U.S. citizens). Note that a TPS beneficiary who returns with advance parole after Aug. 20, 2020 is not considered “admitted or paroled” for purposes of 245(a) adjustment. More information is in CLINIC’s Practice Advisory on Adjustment Options for TPS Beneficiaries

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All About Parole Practice Advisory

Posted on July 6, 2023

The advisory also covers various categories of parole and their eligibility criteria, as well as the processes to request these types of parole.

Parole , Humanitarian Parole , Advance Parole , Parole in Place

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Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

  Español | Kreyòl Ayisyen |

ALERT: DHS has resumed processing of Advance Travel Authorizations (ATAs) in the parole processes for certain nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV). As part of an internal review, DHS has implemented updated safeguards to the CHNV processes, incorporating rigorous enhanced vetting in the supporter application process. Potential CHNV beneficiaries should continue to monitor their myUSCIS account for updated information regarding their ATAs. Individuals with a valid, unexpired ATA are permitted to travel.

ALERT: You are likely eligible to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) to legally work in the United States if:

• You were recently paroled into the United States and that parole remains valid; or
• You have applied for asylum and that application has been pending for at least 150 days.

If you have not already started the EAD application process, you can begin here by creating a USCIS account online and filing Form-I-765 . We will mail your work permit to the address you provided in your application if your application is approved. If necessary, you can file a paper application for Form I-765 instead.

ALERT:  Updated Review Process for the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

The U.S. government may grant advance travel authorization to up to 30,000 noncitizens each month to seek parole on a case-by-case basis under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Due to high interest in these processes, we are updating the review process effective May 17, 2023. Under the new review process, we will randomly select about half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, regardless of filing date, from the entire pending workload to review. We will review the other half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A based on when the case was submitted under the first-in, first-out method, which prioritizes the oldest Forms I-134A for review. This is intended to maintain a meaningful and equitable opportunity for all beneficiaries of a Form I-134A to move forward through the process and seek advance travel authorization. For more information, see our web alert .

ALERT:  Access to the processes is free. Neither the U.S.-based supporter nor the beneficiary is required to pay the U.S. government a fee to file the Form I-134A, be considered for travel authorization, or parole. Beware of any scams or potential exploitation by anyone who asks for money associated with participation in this process.

DHS has announced processes through which nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and their immediate family members, may request to come to the United States in a safe and orderly way. Qualified beneficiaries who are outside the United States and lack U.S. entry documents may be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for advanced authorization to travel and a temporary period of parole for up to two years for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. To participate, eligible beneficiaries must:

• Have a supporter in the United States;
• Undergo and clear robust security vetting;
• Meet other eligibility criteria; and
• Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.

Individuals participating in these processes must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their parole in the United States. The first step in the process is for the U.S.-based supporter to file a  Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support , with USCIS for each beneficiary they seek to support, including minor children. The U.S. government will then review the supporter information provided in the Form I-134A to ensure that they are able to financially support the beneficiaries they are agreeing to support.

See below for additional information on the processes and country specific eligibility requirements. Additional information is also available on our Frequently Asked Questions About the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans page.

Who May be Considered for Advance Travel Authorization

In order to be eligible to request and ultimately be considered for an advance authorization to travel to the United States to seek parole under these processes, beneficiaries must:

• Be outside the United States;
• Be a national of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela; or be an immediate family member (spouse, common-law partner, and/or unmarried child under the age of 21) who is traveling with an eligible Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan;
• Have a U.S.-based supporter who filed a Form I-134A on their behalf that USCIS has vetted and confirmed;
• Possess an unexpired passport valid for international travel;

Provide for their own commercial travel to an air U.S. port of entry and final U.S. destination;

Undergo and pass required national security and public safety vetting;

• Comply with all additional requirements, including vaccination requirements and other public health guidelines; and
• Demonstrate that a grant of parole is warranted based on significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons, and that a favorable exercise of discretion is otherwise merited.

An individual is ineligible to be considered for parole under these processes if that person is a dual national or permanent resident of, or holds refugee status in, another country, unless DHS operates a similar parole process for the country’s nationals. This requirement does not apply to immediate family members (spouse, common-law partner, or unmarried child under the age of 21) of an eligible national of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela with whom they are traveling.

In addition, a potential beneficiary is ineligible for advance authorization to travel to the United States as well as parole under these processes if that person:

• Fails to pass national security and public safety vetting or is otherwise deemed not to merit a favorable exercise of discretion;
• Has been ordered removed from the United States within the prior five years or is subject to a bar to admissibility based on a prior removal order;
• Has crossed irregularly into the United States, between the ports of entry, after the date the process was announced (for Venezuelans, after Oct. 19, 2022; for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, after Jan. 9, 2023), except individuals permitted a single instance of voluntary departure pursuant to INA § 240B, 8 U.S.C. § 1229c or withdrawal of their application for admission pursuant to INA § 235(a)(4), 8 U.S.C. § 1225(a)(4) will remain eligible;
• Has irregularly crossed the Mexican or Panamanian border after the date the process was announced (for Venezuelans, after Oct. 19, 2022; for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, after Jan. 9, 2023);
• Is Cuban or Haitian and has been interdicted at sea after April 27, 2023; or
• Is under 18 and not traveling through this process accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Important Note about Venezuelan Passports

The beneficiary must have a valid, unexpired passport. Certified extensions of passport validity serve to meet this requirement. If a beneficiary's passport validity has been extended, the expiration date of the extension should be reflected as the passport expiration date. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not authorize travel if the beneficiary's passport or extension is expired.

Specific to Venezuelan passports, consistent with the National Assembly decree of June 25, 2024, Venezuelan passports issued before the date of this decree remain valid for ten years beyond the expiration date printed in the passport or beyond the expiration date of the last passport extension ("prórroga"), whichever is later.

Children under the age of 18 arriving without their parent or legal guardian are not eligible for advance authorization to travel or consideration for parole under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.  If a child under age 18 arrives at a U.S. port of entry and is not traveling with their parent or legal guardian, they may be placed in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as required by law under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. For more information, please visit the  HHS Unaccompanied Children webpage . 

Children under age 18 who are not traveling with a parent or legal guardian, but who are coming to the United States to meet a parent or legal guardian, may instead seek parole through the standard Form I-131 parole process. In the standard Form I-131 parole process, children under age 18 who travel without a parent or legal guardian will need, among other evidence, written permission from all adults with legal custody of the child (that is, their parents or legal guardians) to travel to the United States. 

Additional evidence submitted with the Form I-131 should include: 

The duration of their stay in the United States; and  

Evidence of relationship between the child under age 18 and the parent or legal guardian that the child is traveling to reunite with in the United States (see Step 5, below).  

If the legal guardian is providing the written permission, the requestor must include proof of legal guardianship issued by the appropriate government authority. In addition, the application should include a statement about the relationship of the child to the person filing the Form I-131, and whether they intend to provide care and custody of the child in the United States or reunite the child with a parent or legal guardian in the United States. For more information, please see our  Guidance on Evidence for Certain Types of Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole  page, which has information about the requirements for requesting parole for children. 

You may request a fee waiver when submitting a Form I-131 for a child as described in the above paragraph. For more information on how to request a fee waiver, please see the  Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver , webpage. 

Pathway for Children Under Age 18 Outside the United States Who Have Parents or Legal Guardians in the United States 

If a child’s parents or legal guardians have lawful status in the United States, are parolees (including a parolee under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans), or are beneficiaries of deferred action or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), and the parents or legal guardians have documentation or authorization to reenter the United States after returning from a trip outside the United States, they may be eligible to travel outside the United States to accompany their child to the United States. The child must otherwise be eligible for consideration for parole under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans.  

To request consideration under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans, a supporter must submit a Form I-134A on behalf of the child under age 18 seeking to reunite with their parent or legal guardian in the United States. The parent or legal guardian of the child may file Form I-134A on the child’s behalf if the parent or legal guardian has lawful status in the United States, is a parolee, or is a beneficiary of deferred action or DED. However, the U.S.-based supporter does not need to be related to the beneficiary for whom they have filed Form I-134A. 

After we have confirmed the Form I-134A, the supporter should follow these steps: 

Step 1: Log in to their online account. 

Step 2: From the top of the webpage, select the My Account drop-down menu and select Inbox.  

Step 3: Click on the New Message button. 

Step 4: For the subject, select “Other” from the drop-down menu, and for the case receipt number, select the receipt number for Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support.  

Step 5: In the message field, write “CHNV Child Reunification” and state that they are contacting USCIS on behalf of a child under age 18 who is eligible for the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans, and who has a parent or legal guardian who can depart and reenter the United States to accompany their child so the child can use the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans. In addition, the supporter should upload in their online account this supporting documentation:   

Evidence of the parental relationship or legal guardianship of the child. (Evidence may include a birth certificate for the child and identity documents for the parent or legal guardian. Generally, evidence of legal guardianship requires a legal or administrative process involving the courts or other recognized government entity. A power of attorney or written or notarized statement is not a formally recognized arrangement.) 

Evidence that the parent or legal guardian has documentation or authorization to reenter the United States. This documentation may include proof of U.S. citizenship, a Green Card, or an Advance Parole Document (Application for Travel Document, Form I-131). 

A signed statement affirming that the parent or legal guardian will accompany the child to the United States and provide care and physical custody of that child in the United States.  

U.S.-based supporters will initiate an online request on behalf of a named beneficiary, by submitting a Form I-134A to USCIS for each beneficiary, including minor children. Supporters can be individuals filing independently, filing with other individuals, or filing on behalf of organizations, businesses, or other entities. There is no fee required to file Form I-134A. The supporter will be vetted by the U.S. government to protect against exploitation and abuse and to ensure that they are able to financially support the beneficiary they are agreeing to support.

To serve as a supporter, an individual or individual representing an entity must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident; hold a lawful status in the United States such as Temporary Protected Status or asylum; or be a parolee or recipient of deferred action or Deferred Enforced Departure; 
• Pass security and background vetting, including for public safety, national security, human trafficking, and exploitation concerns; and
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to receive, maintain, and support the individual(s) they are agreeing to support for the duration of their parole period.

Supporters who file Form I-134A on behalf of a beneficiary under these processes must be willing and able to receive, maintain, and support the beneficiary listed in Form I-134A for the duration of their parole. Examples of the types of support for beneficiaries that supporters should keep in mind when considering their ability to meet this commitment include:

• Receiving the beneficiary upon arrival in the United States and transporting them to initial housing;
• Ensuring that the beneficiary has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole and initial basic necessities;
• As appropriate, helping the beneficiary complete necessary paperwork such as for employment authorization, for a Social Security card, and for services for which they may be eligible;
• Ensuring that the beneficiary’s health care and medical needs are met for the duration of the parole; and
• As appropriate, assisting the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment, and enrolling children in school.

Supporters must include the name of the beneficiary on Form I-134A. Supporters may not file a Form I-134A on behalf of an unnamed beneficiary. A supporter may agree to support more than one beneficiary, such as for different members of a family group, but must file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary.

Supporters must file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary, even minor children.  Multiple supporters may join together to support a beneficiary. In this case, a supporter should file a Form I-134A and in the filing include supplementary evidence demonstrating the identity of, and resources to be provided by, the additional supporters and attach a statement explaining the intent to share responsibility to support the beneficiary. These supporters’ ability to support a beneficiary will be assessed collectively.

Organizations, businesses, and other entities can play a critical role in providing support for beneficiaries arriving through this process. Although an individual is required to file and sign the Form I-134A, they can do so in association with or on behalf of an organization, business, or other entity that will provide some or all of the necessary support to the beneficiary. Individual supporters filing with or on behalf of an organization, business, or other entity should submit evidence of the entity’s commitment to support the beneficiary when they file the Form I-134A. This can be demonstrated through a letter of commitment or other documentation from an officer or other credible representative of the organization, business, or other entity describing the monetary or other types of support (such as housing, basic necessities, transportation, etc.) the entity will be providing to the specific beneficiary. Individuals who are filing in association with an organization, business, or other entity do not need to submit their personal financial information, if the level of support demonstrated by the entity is sufficient to support the beneficiary.

Organizations outside of the government may be able to help potential supporters and beneficiaries to prepare for this process. Two organizations that specialize in providing the public with information about providing welcome to newcomers and resources to support participation in these processes are listed below.

• Welcome.us  provides information on welcoming and supporting newcomer populations.
• Community Sponsorship Hub has established the Sponsor Circle Program , which can provide resources and ongoing guidance to supporters.

This information is provided for informational purposes only. DHS does not endorse these entities. Using these entities in lieu of any other entity does not give any parolee preferential treatment in the adjudication of their application.

Beneficiaries cannot directly apply for these processes. A supporter in the United States must first complete and file Form I-134A with USCIS on behalf of a beneficiary and include information about them and contact details, such as an email address. If we deem the Form I-134A sufficient, in our discretion, we will send the beneficiary information about the next step in the process to be considered for authorization to travel to the United States and parole consideration at an airport of entry.

Once beneficiaries receive their travel authorization, they should arrange to fly directly to their final destination in the United States. Upon arrival at the interior port of entry, individuals will be inspected by CBP and required to submit additional information, to include fingerprints, for further biometric vetting, and then be considered for a discretionary grant of parole. Those who attempt to enter the U.S. at land ports of entry will not be considered for parole through this process and will generally be denied entry.

The key steps in the processes include:

Step 1: Financial Support

• A U.S.-based supporter will submit a Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, with USCIS through the online myUSCIS web portal to initiate the process. The Form I-134A identifies and collects information on both the supporter and the beneficiary. The supporter must submit a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary they are seeking to support, including immediate family members and minor children.
• We will then vet the supporter to ensure that they are able to financially support the individual they are agreeing to support and to protect against exploitation and abuse. USCIS, in our discretion, must vet and confirm supporters before they move forward in the process.

Step 2: Submit Biographic Information

• If we confirm a supporter, the listed beneficiary will receive an email from us with instructions on how to create a USCIS online account and other next steps. The beneficiary must confirm their biographic information in myUSCIS and attest to meeting the eligibility requirements.
• As part of confirming eligibility in their online account, individuals who seek authorization to travel to the United States must confirm that they meet public health requirements, including certain vaccination requirements.

Step 3: Submit Request in CBP One Mobile Application

• After confirming biographic information in their online account and completing required eligibility attestations, the beneficiary will receive instructions through myUSCIS on how to access the  CBP One mobile application (PDF, 771.55 KB) . The beneficiary must enter their biographic information into CBP One and provide a photo.

Step 4: Advance Travel Authorization to the United States

• After completing Step 3, the beneficiary will receive a notice in their online account confirming whether CBP will, in its discretion, provide them with advance authorization to travel to the United States to seek a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis.
• If approved, this authorization is valid for 90 days. Beneficiaries are responsible for securing their own travel via air to the United States. Approval of advance authorization to travel does not guarantee entry or parole into the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Parole is a discretionary determination made by CBP at the port of entry, based on a finding that parole is warranted due to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

Step 5: Seeking Parole at the Port of Entry

• When a beneficiary arrives a port of entry, CBP will inspect them and consider them for a grant of discretionary parole on a case-by-case basis.
• As part of the inspection, beneficiaries will undergo additional screening and vetting, to include additional fingerprint biometric vetting consistent with the CBP inspection process. Individuals who are determined to pose a national security or public safety threat, or otherwise not warrant parole as a matter of discretion upon inspection, will be processed under an appropriate processing pathway and may be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Step 6: Parole

• Individuals granted parole under these processes generally will be paroled into the United States for a period of up to two years, subject to applicable health and vetting requirements, and will be eligible to apply for employment authorization under existing regulations.
• Individuals granted parole may request work authorization from USCIS by filing a  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , either online or via mail.

After the supporter files the Form I-134A with USCIS, we will review the form and supporting evidence to ensure that the supporter has sufficient financial resources to support the beneficiary for the duration of the parole period and conduct background checks on the supporter. We will determine whether the Form I-134A is sufficient, and we may request additional evidence to make our determination. If approved, beneficiaries will receive an email from USCIS with instructions on how to set up a USCIS online account and other next steps. Individuals should check their email, including spam and junk folders, for important messages from USCIS.

If the Form I-134A is Sufficient

If we confirm in our discretion that the Form I-134A is sufficient, the beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS with instructions on how to set up a USCIS online account and other next steps. The beneficiary must confirm their biographic information on myUSCIS and attest to completion of all requirements, including:

• you are not a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than your country of nationality, and that you do not currently hold refugee status in any country, unless DHS operates a similar parole process for the country’s nationals; or
• you are the spouse, common-law partner, or unmarried child under the age of 21 and traveling with an eligible national;
• An  attestation  to certify understanding of the family relationship requirements for children under 18; and
• An attestation that you have completed vaccine requirements or are eligible for an exception to vaccine requirements for measles, polio, and the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine  approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  or  Emergency Use Listed (EUL) by the World Health Organization (WHO) .

After arriving in the United States, the beneficiary must attest to receiving a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test, within 90 days.

Find more information on vaccine requirements on the  preview of the vaccine attestation page  .

If the Form I-134A is Insufficient

If we are unable to confirm the Form I-134A is sufficient, that decision is final. The beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS notifying them that we determined the Form I-134A filed on their behalf was insufficient. We will not consider the beneficiary for parole under this parole process based on the insufficient Form I-134A. However, the supporter may file a new Form I-134A on behalf of the same or another beneficiary, or a different supporter may file a Form I-134A on behalf of the beneficiary.

Authorization to Travel to the United States

Once the beneficiary has confirmed their biographic information and attested to completing all other requirements, we will process their case further. Beneficiaries will receive an email instructing them to check their online account in myUSCIS for the result of their authorization to travel. This authorization is valid for 90 days.

If the beneficiary has been authorized to travel to the United States, they must arrange and fund their own travel. Beneficiaries must arrange to fly to the United States by air directly to an interior port of entry and their final destination.

Applying for Employment Authorization

After you are paroled into the United States, you are eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS. To apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you must submit  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , using the (c)(11) category code with the required fee, or apply for a fee waiver.

To file Form I-765 online, eligible applicants will access their USCIS online account at  my.uscis.gov .

You can find the filing fee for Form I-765 by visiting our Fee Schedule page. 

Applicants who are requesting a waiver of the Form I-765 filing fee must submit Form I-765 by mail with Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver .

Obtaining a Social Security Number and Card

We encourage you to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) using  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , and following the form instructions. If you request an SSN in Part 2 (Items 13.a-17.b) of your Form I-765, and we approve your Form I-765, we will electronically transmit that data to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and SSA will assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security card. SSA will mail your Social Security card directly to the address you provide on Form I-765. SSNs generally are assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. SSNs are used to report your wages to the government and to determine your eligibility for Social Security benefits.

If you do not request an SSN on your Form I-765, you can apply for an SSN after you receive your EAD from USCIS using the instructions on SSA’s  Social Security Number and Card  webpage.

Address Updates

If you are residing in the United States longer than 30 days, you must report your physical address in the United States. If your address changes after you enter the United States, you must notify us within 10 days of the change, by either:

• Using our  online change of address form ; or
• Through your existing USCIS online account (if you have an account). For more information on how to create an online account, visit the  How to Create a USCIS Online Account .

Changing your address online will update the address on file with USCIS for each pending application, petition, or request for which you provide a receipt number when filling out the Online Change of Address form . It is important to include the receipt number for any cases pending with USCIS in your address change request, so that we can update the address associated with those cases. We will mail secure documents to the address on file. You can find the receipt number on the receipt notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action) that we issued after you filed your application, petition, or request. We send receipt notices to the address listed on the application, petition, or request.

Terminating Your Parole

If you have already been paroled into the United States, your parole will automatically be terminated if:

• You depart the United States (without an Advance Parole Document before traveling outside the United States); or
• Your parole period expires.

DHS may also decide to terminate your parole at its discretion for other reasons, such as violating any laws of the United States. We expect you will leave the country when your parole expires. If you stay in the United States after your parole expires, officials who encounter you may refer you to ICE for immigration proceedings.

Leaving the United States

If we grant you travel authorization, you may present it only once for travel to the United States to seek parole at the U.S. port of entry. After you are paroled into the United States, if you want to leave the United States and then return as a parolee, you must request an Advance Parole Document by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, before traveling outside the United States. If you leave the United States without getting an Advance Parole Document, your parole will be terminated when you depart. For information on how to apply for an Advance Parole Document while you are in the United States, please see the  Form I-131 page.

The best way to contact us depends on the type of inquiry.

Case Status Inquiries: You can check the status of your Form I-134A in your USCIS online account or in Case Status Online . Please note that the USCIS Contact Center can only provide the same information about the status of your case that is available in your USCIS online account.

Corrections: You can generally correct a submitted Form I-134A in your USCIS online account or by sending a secure message from your USCIS online account. See the “Correcting a Submitted Form I-134A” section on the Frequently Asked Questions about the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans page for more information.

Other Inquiries: For other inquiries, see the “Contacting USCIS About Form I-134A” section on the Frequently Asked Questions about the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans page.

Please note that beneficiaries are not obligated to repay, reimburse, work for, serve, marry, or otherwise compensate their supporter in exchange for filing Form I-134A on their behalf or for providing financial support while they are in the United States.

Access to these processes is free. Neither the supporter nor the beneficiary is required to pay the U.S. government a fee for the Form I-134A. Beware of any scams or potential exploitation by anyone who asks for money associated with the Form I-134A or participation in these processes. DHS recommends the following actions to avoid intimidating situations:

• Avoid individuals who promise to “get you to the United States quickly” if you pay an exorbitant sum of money.
• Keep your passport and other identity documents in your possession at all times.
• If you are concerned that the individual who filed Form I-134A on your behalf is not a legitimate organization or entity or legal representative, see the  Scams, Fraud, and Misconduct  webpage.

Call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911. Trafficking victims, whether or not U.S. citizens, are eligible for services and immigration assistance.

There are many forms of abuse and exploitation, including domestic violence, forced marriage, and human trafficking. In the United States, there are laws that may help you avoid or escape an abusive situation.

• Domestic Violence  is a pattern of behavior in a relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner, parent, or child. Domestic abuse can involve physical, sexual, emotional, financial, or psychological abuse or threats.
• Forced marriage  is a marriage that takes place without the consent of one or both people in the marriage. Consent means that you have given your full, free, and informed agreement to marry your intended spouse and to the timing of the marriage. Forced marriage may occur when family members or others use physical or emotional abuse, threats, or deception to force you to marry without your consent. For additional information on forced marriage, please visit the  Forced Marriage  webpage.
• Human Trafficking  involves exploiting someone to compel a commercial sex act or forced labor. Generally, this exploitation must involve force, fraud, or coercion to be considered human trafficking. However, if someone under 18 years old is induced to perform a commercial sex act, that is considered human trafficking even if there is no force, fraud, or coercion.

If you have experienced or fear forced marriage, domestic violence, human trafficking, or other abuse, please contact the resources below to receive free help in your language:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline:  800-799-7233, 800-787-3224 (TTY),  www.ndvh.org
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:  800-843-5678,  www.missingkids.com
• The National Center for Victims of Crime:  800-394-2255, 800-211-7996 (TTY),  www.victimsofcrime.org
• National Human Trafficking Hotline:  888-373-7888, Text: 233733

For more information and additional resources related to gender-based violence, see the DHS Gender-Based Violence Pamphlets .

• We do not want you to become the victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or accredited representative working for a Department of Justice recognized organization can give you legal advice. Visit the Avoid Scams page for information and resources.

Some common scams to be aware of include:

• Government impersonators:  Look out for individuals who pose as USCIS officials. USCIS will only contact you through official government channels and will not contact you through your personal social media accounts (such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Misleading offers of support: Look out for individuals who attempt to contact you online or through your social media accounts to offer to be your supporter or connect you to a supporter in exchange for a fee or other form of compensation. Similarly, look out for individuals seeking biographic information from you, such as your passport number or date of birth, through your social media accounts, to offer to support you for parole. Supporters should be able to provide financial support to beneficiaries for up to a 2-year period of parole. Beneficiaries are not obligated to repay, reimburse, work for, serve, marry, or otherwise compensate their supporter in exchange for the potential supporter submitting Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, on their behalf or for providing financial support while they are in the United States. Find more information on potential exploitation and abuse in the Understand Your Rights (PDF) guide.
• Scam Websites: Some websites claim to be affiliated with USCIS and offer step-by-step guidance on completing a USCIS application or petition. Make sure your information is from uscis.gov, dhs.gov, or is affiliated with uscis.gov. Make sure the website address ends with .gov.
• Payments by Phone or Email: We will never ask you to transfer money to an individual. We do not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, or gift cards as payment for immigration fees. In addition, we will never ask you to pay fees to a person on the phone or by email.
• Notarios Públicos and unauthorized practitioners of immigration law: In the United States, a notario público is not authorized to provide you with any legal services related to immigration benefits. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ)-recognized organization can give you legal advice. For more information about finding legal services , visit our website.
• Employment Resources for Parolees in the United States
• Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support
• Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support (PDF, 569.98 KB)
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
• Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans Flyer (PDF, 401.27 KB)
• Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans Flyer (PDF, 335.05 KB) (Spanish)
• Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans Flyer (PDF, 340.46 KB) (Haitian-Creole)