RESOURCES
(1) Afghans trying to come to the U.S:
USCIS Humanitarian Parole - This U.S. Government program is for people who need to urgently come to the U.S. in order to protect their life from an emergency. It is not an immigration program, but a temporary visa you can use to get on an airplane to the U.S. Since August 2021, many thousands of Afghans have applied for USCIS humanitarian parole and, as of February 2022, around 150 people have gotten it. Learn more about how to apply for yourself or your family members:
Application Checklist with links to government forms
Fee Waiver
We strongly recommend anyone who is applying for humanitarian parole to not submit the $575/application fee, and instead complete Form I-912 for a fee waiver using this practice pointer. As of February 2022, the U.S. Government is approving the majority of fee waivers.
Updated I-134 Guidance
As of June 27, 2022, USCIS will only accept the updated Form I-134 (Declaration of Financial Support). If you are filing an I-134 form with a Humanitarian Parole application, please refer to the following updated guidance for the Form I-134 (Edition 4/25/2022). Form I-134 USCIS Instructions. CLINIC has compiled a comprehensive FAQ guide for the updated I-134 here. Project ANAR has also created an updated I-134 guide, available here.
Because the U.S. Government is not granting Humanitarian Parole to most people (only 123 approved out of 66,000 applications from data gathered by Reveal News and Center for Investigative Reporting), we strongly encourage any Afghan to pursue all available pathways they may be eligible for. Below are other immigration pathways.
SIV or P2 - You may also qualify for SIV or P2 if you or a family member worked for the U.S. government or a U.S. government funded program.
SIV
International Refugee Assistance Project’s Resource on SIV
P2
International Refugee Assistance Project’s Resource on P-2
Refugee - Anyone who left Afghanistan because their life was in danger can apply to come to the US as a refugee.
International Refugee Assistance Project’s Resource on Refugee Processes
Other countries: You may also want to pursue seeking protection in other countries, such as:
(2) Afghans already in the U.S.:
Template cover letter for fee-exempt Afghan I-130 filings (can be adapted for other filings)
Family-based pathways to the U.S.
Family-based green cards: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may petition for certain relatives to obtain green cards to join them in the U.S. (Form I-130). USCIS is expediting pending family-based petitions for Afghan beneficiaries.
Follow-to-join visas (Form I-730/P-3 Program): Individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. may petition for certain relatives to obtain visas to join them in the U.S. The forms required will depend on the petitioner’s status in the U.S. and the relative’s family relationship to the petitioner. More information on each of these options here.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) - Afghan TPS Know Your Rights videos, put together by the ABA Commission on Immigration and HIAS. The KYR presentation is available in English, Dari, and Pashto and provides an overview of TPS, the benefits and limitations, and how to apply.
Resettlement resources: Search in your community for resettlement, health care, education and housing resources
Legal assistance: Get legal assistance through Human Rights First
Find a pro bono lawyer in your area (free)
Find a low-bono lawyer in your area (low cost)
Know your rights in the U.S.
Other important resources
(3) Resource Alert:
A team at USCCB has recently developed several translated infographics on immigration legal processes applicable to Afghan clients. The infographics can be found on USCCB’s APA Legal Resource Library, under section “Client Orientation”.
*Dari and Pashto versions contain a QR code that links to an audible version of the infographic.
1. Family Reunification
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
2. SIV (Before July 20, 2022)
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
3. Asylum Process
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
4. Asylum Eligibility
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
5. Asylum Benefits
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
6. TPS & OAW Humanitarian Parole
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
7. TPS Process
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
8. TPS Eligibility
Infographic: English | Dari | Pashto Audible Infographic: Dari | Pashto
(4) Other information:
Avoid Immigration Scams Flyer from USCIS website
Find a lawyer in your area:
Legal information:
Protecting your online identity from the Taliban
Call on Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act
In Turkey: Refugee Rights Turkey https://www.mhd.org.tr/en
Language Resources
Tarjimly is a mobile application and great resource for interpretation needs for Afghan clients. Here is a video on how to use Tarjimly.
Respond Crisis Translation is a nonprofit organization providing interpretation and translation services. Respond is dedicated to paying just and dignified wages to Afghan Dari and Pashto interpreters and translators living in Afghanistan. Their work is ALWAYS free of charge for individuals, families, and grassroots organizers.
This page was last updated on August 16, 2022.
