Afghan Refugee Resources - Grossman Young & Hammond

Organizations:

International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) – https://refugeerights.org
- IRAP provides legal resources for Afghan refugees, including a series of guides detailing the eligibility requirements and application process for Humanitarian Parole, Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), and Afghan P-2 refugee program.
Human Rights First – https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/
- Provides services for asylum-seeking clients as well as resources on ways to protect your online identity from the Taliban.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) – https://www.lirs.org
- Provides assistance to refugees and SIV applicants and offers 33 resettlement offices around the country.
- resettlement@lirs.org
PARS Equality Center – https://parsequalitycenter.org
- Provides immigration legal services and social services for refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers.
No One Left Behind – https://nooneleft.org
- Provides assistance to applicants in applying for SIV and resettlement once in the U.S.
Afghan Coalition – https://www.afghancoalition.org
- Provides legal assistance to those currently located in Afghanistan as well as social services to those in the U.S.

Legal Representation:

Free immigration legal service providers – https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory
Private immigration attorneys – http://www.ailalawyer.com

Evacuation Assistance:

Department of Defense (DOD) Afghan NEO Call Center
- neo.amcit@mail.mil
- 703-693-0799
Senator Alex Padilla – https://www.padilla.senate.gov/afghanistan-evacuation-resources
Senator Jason Crow – https://crow.house.gov/afghanistan-evacuation-resources
Representative Josh Harder – https://harder.house.gov/Afghanistan-Evacuation-Resources
S. Department of State Task Force 3 – Afghansivapplication@state.gov
- For those in Afghanistan with pending immigrant visa/SIV/Humanitarian Parole
S. Consulate in Kabul – kabulacs@state.gov
Task Force for Consular Affairs – ATF-TF1@groups.state.gov
- Provides services to U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Afghanistan
Chartered or commercial flights out of HKIA Airport – MOG.AMC@us.af.mil
S. Government contact for those seeking P-2 refugee status – USRAPAfghanInquiries@state.gov
Senator Tom Cotton – evac@cotton.senate.gov
- Provides assistance to those seeking Humanitarian Parole
Representative Andy Kim – RepKimEvac@mail.house.gov
Assistance for Afghan Women and Girls – SGWI_AfghanReferrals@state.gov
Kabul Repatriation Assistance – https://seirmprod.servicenowservices.com/kra
- Provides services for U.S. Citizens who require assistance returning to the U.S.
Silent Professionals – https://silentprofessionals.org/evacuation-assistance-in-afghanistan/

Potential Humanitarian Immigration Options

PLEASE NOTE ALL VISAS MUST CURRENTLY BE PROCESSED OUTSIDE OF AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)
- Eligibility
  - Employed directly by U.S. government in Afghanistan for at least 1 year OR employed with company that had a contract or subcontract with U.S. government (employment less than 1 year or for company that had grant or cooperative agreement is NOT eligible for SIV > please see P-2 refugee)
  - Requires submission of letter of recommendation from direct U.S. Citizen supervisor
  - Requires submission of HR letter confirming years of employment and evidence of employer’s U.S. Government contract, if applicable.
  - Must demonstrate ongoing threat to safety because of employment with U.S. government
- Steps
  - Chief of Mission (COM) application to verify qualifying employment (see state.gov/content/dam/visas/SIVs/Afghan_SIV_Guidelines_and_DS157_Instructions_08-24-2021.pdf);
  - File I-360 petition with USCIS;
  - Complete DS-260 Visa Application;
  - Attend interview and complete security checks;
  - Visa issuance and travel to U.S. – eligible for refugee benefits.
- Family Members
  - Spouse and minor unmarried children may obtain SIV status as derivatives.
- Automatically become Lawful Permanent Resident upon entering U.S. in SIV status.
USRAP P-1 Refugee – Individual Referral
- Must be referred/submitted by UNHCR, embassy, or designated NGO
- Lengthy, complex process with Department of State
- Not much transparency to process
USRAP P-2 Refugee – Group Referral
- Eligibility
  - Employment for U.S. government-funded program or project supported through a U.S. government grant or cooperative agreement; U.S.-based media organization or NGO (employment with subcontractors or subgrantee is not eligible for P-2)
  - Requires referral from senior-most U.S. citizen employee at qualifying employment
- Must be referred/submitted by employer
- Steps
  - Security checks;
  - Visa interview and pre-screening;
  - USCIS adjudication;
  - Travel to U.S. – no refugee assistance available.
- Family Members
  - Spouse and children (whether married or unmarried) may obtain P-2 refugee status as derivative
- Can apply for Adjustment of Status to become Lawful Permanent Resident 1 year after entering U.S. in P-2 Refugee status.
Humanitarian Parole
- Eligibility
  - Must demonstrate urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reason for beneficiary to be in the U.S.
  - Must have Financial Sponsor who is at least 18 years of age and either a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident in the U.S.
- Steps
  - File Form I-131 Application for Travel Document and Form I-134 Affidavit of Support with USCIS;
  - USCIS Adjudication;
  - Complete DS-160 Visa Application;
  - Attend interview;
  - Advance Parole document issued and travel to U.S. – provides temporary status; no automatic refugee benefits.

Potential Family-Based Immigration Options

Family Reunification for Refugee, Asylee or SIV in the U.S.
- Follow to Join – I-730
  - An individual currently in the U.S. who entered as Refugee or SIV or obtained Asylee status within last 2 years can petition on behalf of:
    - Spouse
    - Unmarried children
  - USRAP P-3 Refugee
    - An individual currently in the U.S. who entered as Refugee, Asylee, or SIV within last 5 years can petition on behalf of:
      - Spouse
      - Unmarried children
      - Parents
    - Family must be located outside of Afghanistan
  - Family-based Immigrant Visa
    - Eligibility
      - Immediate relative of U.S. Citizen;
        
        Spouse
        
        Unmarried child under age 21
        
        Parent
      - Other Relative of U.S. Citizen;
        
        Unmarried child age 21+ of U.S. Citizen
        
        Married child of U.S. Citizen
        
        Brother or sister of U.S. Citizen
      - Family member of Lawful Permanent Resident
        
        Spouse of LPR
        
        Unmarried child under age 21
        
        Unmarried child age 21+
      - Consular Processing Steps for Those Outside U.S.
        
        File I-130 Immigrant Petition with USCIS
        
        USCIS Adjudication
        
        National Visa Center Processing
        
        Immigrant Visa Interview
        
        Visa Issuance

Potential Student and Employment-Based Visa Options:

A variety of student and employment-based visa options are available, and may offer much faster processing than the humanitarian options outlined above. Some of the most popular options include:

F-1 Student Visa
- Must be accepted for enrollment at an SEVP-approved school in the U.S.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
- Offer of U.S. employment which requires minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field;
- Only immediately available to those who have been counted against the CAP in the last 6 years and has not been outside of the U.S. for more than 1 year OR to those whose offer of employment is from a cap-exempt organization.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee
- Offer of U.S. employment in a managerial or specialized knowledge role;
- Employed for at least 1 year by a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate company abroad in a managerial or specialized knowledge role.