Humanitarian Parole Lawyer
Humanitarian parole allows a person outside the United States to enter temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit, even without a visa. Attorney Elena Vlady, an Austin-based immigration lawyer and AILA member, prepares humanitarian parole requests for families nationwide.
What Humanitarian Parole Is, and What It Is Not
Parole is a discretionary, temporary permission to enter the United States, granted case by case. It is not a visa or an immigration status, and it does not by itself lead to a green card. Parole is generally granted only for the time needed to address the urgent situation.
Recent Changes You Should Know About
In 2025, the government ended several country-based parole programs, including the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans and several family reunification parole programs. Individual, case-by-case humanitarian parole through Form I-131 remains available, but USCIS now reviews requests more strictly, and new parole-related fees took effect in 2026. Strong, well-organized evidence is essential.
Situations That May Support a Request
- Urgent medical treatment that is not available in the home country
- Caring for a seriously ill family member in the United States
- An end-of-life visit or attending a funeral
- Reuniting a child with a parent in urgent circumstances
- Serious, individualized danger that requires immediate action
What a Parole Request Includes
- Form I-131 and the required fees
- A detailed explanation of the urgent reason and why a regular visa is not a realistic option
- Supporting documents, such as medical records, death certificates, police or court records, and country information
- A financial support declaration (Form I-134) from a sponsor in the United States
- Identity documents and the length of stay requested
Re-Parole for People Already in the United States
Some people already in the United States on parole may request a new period of parole before their current parole expires. The rules for re-parole and related work authorization have changed recently, so each case needs careful review.
How We Work
We prepare parole requests largely through detailed written questionnaires and a secure online client portal, so family members in the United States and abroad can provide information and documents efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a humanitarian parole request take?
Processing times vary widely, and USCIS does not guarantee a timeline. In truly urgent situations, an expedite request may be possible.
Can parole lead to a green card?
Not by itself. Some parolees may have a separate path, such as a family-based petition, which must be evaluated on its own.
Can a parolee work in the United States?
Some parolees may apply for employment authorization, depending on the type of parole and current rules.
Request a Consultation
If a family member needs to come to the United States because of an emergency, request a consultation through our website.
Attorney responsible for the content of this page: Elena Vlady, Law Office of Elena Vlady, PLLC, Austin, Texas. This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration policies change frequently.