The Biden administration will allow Afghans who were evacuated during the withdrawal of U.S. troops to remain in the United States for longer than the initial two-year temporary permits.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the move Friday and said that Afghans who received temporary parole into the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome will soon be able to request renewals of that parole to extend their permission to be in the U.S. DHS encouraged Afghans who have not yet received permanent permission to stay in the United States to apply for renewals.
DHS said each renewal would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to the continued safety, security, and well-being of the thousands of Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States through (Operation Allies Welcome) and continue to through Enduring Welcome,” DHS said in a press release.
The department said that more details about the re-parole process would be available soon and that the department will host Afghan Support Centers across the country beginning on May 17 in Phoenix. The centers will offer information about immigration and social services available to Afghan newcomers with support from both government staff and nongovernmental organizations.
Roughly 88,500 Afghans have come to the United States through September of last year under Operation Allies Welcome, according to the department.
Evacuees were initially given permission to be in the United States for two years. Those parole permits will begin to expire later this year, meaning that evacuated Afghans would no longer have valid work permits and could face deportation for being in the United States without permission.
Some are eligible to apply for Special Immigrant Visas, which are given to Afghans who worked with the U.S. military and meet certain criteria. Others have requested asylum.
Both Special Immigrant Visas and asylum processing take time, and the renewal of parole is the department’s solution for Afghans whose cases are still pending or who have not yet applied for permanent status.
Legislation that would grant permanent residency to evacuated Afghans, known as the Afghan Adjustment Act, has stalled in Congress.
It is not clear how long the parole renewals will extend the stay of evacuees. DHS said more details would be announced soon.
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