As of October 1, 2022, the Biden administration has ended the use of humanitarian parole for Afghan refugees. This significant policy change is part of a broader shift in the U.S. government’s refugee resettlement strategy, particularly in response to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover.
Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, around 86,000 Afghan nationals have been resettled in the United States, with about 90% of them arriving under the humanitarian parole process. However, with this recent decision, Afghan nationals will no longer be able to enter the U.S. through parole. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that this change will not affect pending parole applications that have already been submitted.
What is Humanitarian Parole and Why Was It Used?
Humanitarian parole is a special program that allows people facing urgent humanitarian crises to enter the U.S. without the usual visa or asylum process. It was primarily used to help high-risk Afghan refugees who needed to escape immediate danger, providing them with the chance to live and work in the U.S. for a limited time, typically two years. However, parole status did not grant permanent residency or a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
The decision to end this program is part of a broader effort to shift the U.S. government’s focus toward providing a clear path to permanent legal status for Afghan evacuees. The new initiative, called Operation Enduring Welcome, aims to ensure that future Afghan arrivals have access to permanent residency through specific immigration channels, rather than relying on parole.
New Resettlement Pathways Under Operation Enduring Welcome
Under Operation Enduring Welcome, the U.S. government is prioritizing resettlement for Afghans who meet certain criteria for permanent legal status. The first group to be prioritized will be Afghan nationals who are immediate family members of U.S. citizens. The next group includes Afghan evacuees already residing in the U.S. Finally, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, who helped the U.S. military or government while in Afghanistan, will also receive priority.
For those who do not fall into these categories, entering the U.S. and securing legal status may become much more challenging without the option of humanitarian parole. As the U.S. government shifts its focus away from parole, the process for Afghan nationals to gain entry and resettlement will rely more heavily on these specific immigration programs.
Reactions and Criticism of the Policy Change
This policy revision has sparked criticism from many immigration advocates, lawmakers, and refugees who feel that the change will leave vulnerable Afghan nationals in limbo. Critics argue that the decision highlights the U.S. government’s failure to properly plan and execute the evacuation of Afghan nationals during the U.S. troop withdrawal. The chaotic nature of the evacuation, combined with bureaucratic delays and the slow pace of resettlement, has caused significant frustration.
In addition to the challenges posed by the new resettlement strategy, Afghan evacuees have faced difficulties with the flawed Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, including delays and denials of applications. Many have also experienced discrimination in the parole application process, further complicating their path to safety in the U.S.
The Future of Afghan Refugees in the U.S.
With the humanitarian parole program now officially ended, Afghan refugees will need to navigate the more traditional immigration routes to gain permanent legal status in the U.S. This includes qualifying for specific visa programs like the SIV or family reunification programs. However, for those who do not meet these criteria, the process of resettling in the U.S. may become increasingly difficult and uncertain.
While Operation Enduring Welcome represents a shift towards providing a permanent pathway for Afghan evacuees, the U.S. faces ongoing challenges in effectively resettling a population that has already been through immense hardship. The focus now is on ensuring that the process is efficient, fair, and inclusive, while also addressing the complex issues that arose during the emergency evacuation efforts.
As this policy evolves, it will be important to monitor the long-term impacts on Afghan refugees and their ability to successfully build new lives in the U.S. The Biden administration’s new resettlement strategy is aimed at creating a more organized, sustainable process, but its success will depend on how well these new pathways are implemented and whether the U.S. can meet the needs of those still waiting for refuge.
