Afghanistan’s bad, but it’s (probably) not too late to help your family

Over the last several days, we’ve been getting calls and emails on how to get family, friends, and colleagues who are in grave danger evacuated from Afghanistan. It’s important to understand that there are two distinct issues:  first, what immigration programs or visas are available to get someone into the United States, and second, the more urgent and very practical question of how to get people safely out of Afghanistan. 

On the immigration side, there are a number of options for Afghanis, none of which are immediate and few of which are likely to get someone on a plane in the next several days.  They include SIVs, certain refugee applications (P-1, P-2 and P-3), expedites of the regular nonimmigrant and immigrant visa process (people who have approved visas or employer or relative petitions for a green card/permanent residence), and humanitarian parole.  There are special procedures and considerations for relatives of US citizens and LPRs (“legal permanent residents” or “green card” holders), as well as for “VIP” or “High Value Targets.” 

Each of these options have specific requirements and application procedures and documentary requirements.  For people who may have multiple options, you will need to weigh the pros and cons of each to determine which to pursue.   

Our team has been working around the clock to screen cases and provide the latest information in a rapidly changing, unpredictable environment.  We are actively filing requests for Humanitarian Parole and advocating every step of the way once filed. To that end, we are reaching out to contacts in Congress and the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Defense to escalate cases for vulnerable individuals who have served the U.S. government or have family members residing in the United States.

It is important to remember, however, that Humanitarian Parole or any other application is not itself a pathway to evacuate anyone from Afghanistan.  It is a process to obtain permission to enter the United States—and given the current situation, permission that is likely to come through only after reaching a safe location outside of Afghanistan.