The U.S. has always been a refuge for people forced to flee their homes in times of crisis – and various humanitarian visas are designed to help.
Humanitarian visas are special types of visas that are designed to allow people to either temporarily or permanently remain in this country due to extraordinary circumstances.
What types of options are there?
Different humanitarian visas are designed to offer protection for a wide variety of situations:
- Asylum: This is available to people already in the U.S. or at a border entry point who cannot return to their homelands due to a reasonable fear of persecution based on their race, religion, politics, nationality or inclusion in a targeted social group.
- Refugee: Refugee status is often confused with asylum, but it must be sought while an individual is still outside the United States.
- Humanitarian parole: These special refugee programs are sometimes extended to people from specific countries with widespread crises. Currently, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans are eligible for a special program that can allow them to stay in the U.S. for a limited time while they work out other immigration possibilities.
- Temporary protected status: This is similar to humanitarian parole in that it is granted to nationals of certain countries that are experiencing widespread civil unrest, armed conflicts, environmental disasters and other problems.
- U and T visas: These are designed for the victims of certain crimes who are willing to assist law enforcement with their investigations. These visas can eventually lead to permanent residency for those eligible to obtain them.
- VAWA; The Violence Against Women Act allows victims of domestic violence to seek relief when their abusers try to use their immigration status for control over them. It’s a pathway to permanent residency without the abuser’s involvement.
If you’re seeking a route into the United States and an opportunity to immigrate, learning more about the potential options for humanitarian relief can help you open new doors.