Humanitarian

Battered Spouse, Children and Parents:

As a battered spouse, child, or parent, you may file an immigrant visa petition under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

The following criteria should be satisfied before an individual is considered for an exercise of prosecutorial discretion pursuant to this memorandum:

• came to the United States under the age of sixteen.
• has continuously resided in the United States for a least five years preceding the date of this memorandum and is present in the United States on the date of this memorandum.
• is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a general education development certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.
• has not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise poses a threat to national security or public safety; and is not above the age of thirty.

Humanitarian Parole:

Individuals who are outside of the United States may be able to request parole into the United States based on humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.

• The Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program
• The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program
• The Central American Minor Refugee/Parole Program
• The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program
• International Entrepreneur Parole

Refugee status or asylum may be granted to people who have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, and/or membership in a particular social group or political opinion.

• Refugees: Protection that may be granted to people who meet the definition of refugee and who are of special humanitarian concern to the United States. Refugees are generally people outside of their country who are unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm. You may seek a referral for refugee status only from outside of the United States. For more information about refugees.
• Asylum: Protection available to people who meet the definition of refugee, are already in the United States or are seeking admission at a port of entry. You may apply for asylum in the United States regardless of your country of origin or your current immigration status.

USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.  Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.

The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions in the country:

Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)

• An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane), or an epidemic
• Other extraordinary and temporary conditions

During a designated period, individuals who are TPS beneficiaries or who are found preliminarily eligible for TPS upon initial review of their cases (prima facie eligible):

• Are not removable from the United States
• Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
• May be granted travel authorization

Countries Currently Designated for TPS:

• El Salvador
• Haití
• Honduras
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Somalia
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen