Humanitarian

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Both the special parole policy for arriving Cuban nationals, commonly known as the “wet foot/dry foot” policy, and the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program expired on January 12, 2017. Read the announcement on the DHS website. The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program remains in effect.

USCIS provides a number of humanitarian programs and protection to assist individuals in need of shelter or aid from disasters, oppression, emergency medical issues and other urgent circumstances.

Latest Headlines

January 17, 2017

Temporary Protected Status Extended for Somalia
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia (and eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in ...

January 04, 2017

DHS Announces 18-Month Redesignation and Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has redesignated Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended the existing TPS designation for the country for an additional 18 months, from March...

October 26, 2016

Temporary Protected Status Extended for Nepal
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Nepal (and those without nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) for an add...

Refugee

Refugee status is a form of protection that may be granted to people who meet the definition of refugee and who are of special humanitarian concern to the United States.
Asylum

Asylum status is a form of protection available to people who meet the definition of refugee, are already in the United States, are seeking admission at a port of entry.
Battered Spouse, Children & 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).
Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers lure individuals with false promises of employment and a better life.
Special Situations

When requested, some options may be available to people affected by natural catastrophes and other extreme situations, including: extensions & changes of status, fee waivers, employment authorization, document replacement, expedited processing.
Temporary Protected Status

USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States to stay here for a limited period of time. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
Deferred Enforced Departure

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is in the President’s discretion to authorize as part of his power to conduct foreign relations and is not a specific immigration status. Individuals covered by DED are not subject to removal from the United States, usually for a designated period of time.
Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process

Anyone requesting consideration for deferred action under this process must have been under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request deferred action, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order.
Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) Status

Some children who are here in the U.S. without legal immigration status may need humanitarian protection because they have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent. Special immigrant juvenile status is an immigration classification that may allow these vulnerable children to apply immediately for lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as having a Green Card.
Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)

FGM/C refers to cutting and other procedures that injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The U.S. government opposes FGM/C, no matter the type, degree, or severity, and no matter what the motivation for performing it. The U.S. government considers FGM/C to be a serious human rights abuse, gender-based violence, and, when done to children, a form of child abuse.