In the wake of the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, the United States launched Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), a program aimed at providing support and assistance to Afghan nationals seeking refuge. As part of this initiative, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the implementation of expeditious processing for asylum applications submitted by Afghan nationals who were paroled into the country under the OAW program.
Expeditious processing for asylum applications is available for those in the following categories:
Category 1: Parolees between July 30, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022
If you fall under Category 1, you are eligible for expeditious processing if you meet the following criteria:
You are a citizen or national of Afghanistan or had no nationality but habitually resided in Afghanistan.
You were paroled into the United States between July 30, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022.
Your parole has not been terminated.
Category 2: Parolees after Sept. 30, 2022
If you fall under Category 2, you are eligible for expeditious processing if you meet the following criteria:
You are a citizen or national of Afghanistan or had no nationality but habitually resided in Afghanistan.
You were paroled into the United States after Sept. 30, 2022.
You are either the spouse or child of an individual who meets the criteria for Category 1, or you are the parent or legal guardian of an individual who meets Category 1 and is determined to be an unaccompanied child.
Your parole has not been terminated.
Instructions for Expeditious Processing:
Per USCIS, to ensure your Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, receives expeditious processing, please follow these steps:
Address the envelope according to the instructions provided in the "Where to File" or "Special Instructions" section on the USCIS webpage for Form I-589.
Clearly mark "Attn: OAW" anywhere on the front of the envelope.
On page 1 of Form I-589, Part A.I., Item 19.c., indicate your current status followed by "(Parole)" in the Status field. For example, if you entered the United States with an "OAR" status, you would write "OAR (Parole)" in the Status field.
Provide your most recent date of entry in the Date field on page 1 of Form I-589, Part A.I., Question 19c.
If you complete Form I-589 correctly and meet the eligibility criteria for Category 1 or 2, your application will be submitted for expeditious processing under Section 2502(c) of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act.
Circuit-Ride Locations for Operation Allies Welcome Asylum Interviews:
If you are an Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) asylum applicant, your asylum interview may be conducted at a USCIS field office. This chart lists the locations where OAW asylum applicants who qualify for expeditious processing may expect to have their interviews, based on their place of residence.
Please note that interview locations are subject to change. The exact location for your asylum interview will be specified in your interview notice. It's important to understand that while the USCIS field offices mentioned in the chart host asylum interviews, they cannot schedule interviews or provide updates on the status of asylum applications. If you have any questions regarding your asylum interview, contact the asylum office with jurisdiction over your case. You can use the Asylum Office Locator to find the appropriate office.
The announcement of expeditious processing of asylum applications for eligible parolees under this program aims to streamline the application process and provide timely assistance to those in need. Time will tell if the unprecedented backlogs in the asylum process can be somewhat alleviated by this expedited process.
At The Law Office of George K. Gomez, our immigration lawyers can help you learn more about Asylum, Afghan Parole, Expedited Processing Requests, and whether you qualify for such benefits.
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