When terrible events happen in other nations, the United States does not ignore the disaster’s harm to foreign nationals. Similarly, life events may negatively impact foreign nationals living in the United States. To assist foreign nationals in distress, Congress enacted laws allowing the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) to provide humanitarian relief.

For foreign nationals living outside the United States, refugee status serves as an optional humanitarian relief. The United Nations’ refugee agency (“UNHCR“) provides assistance to persons fleeing their homeland. In addition to the United States, other nations work with UNHCR to resettle refugees. In contrast to refugee status, foreign nationals may apply for asylum in the United States. If granted asylum or refugee status by the United States, such persons become eligible for U.S. permanent resident status. Refugees and asylees may also seek family-based immigration for certain family members.

In addition to asylum and refugee status, DHS manages a few other humanitarian relief programs. For example, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services receives applications for humanitarian parole, military parole-in-place, and the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) also offers the Uniting for Ukraine parole program.

For foreign nationals whose nation suffers a serious calamity, the Department of Homeland Security authorizes temporary protected status. If concerned about returning home, foreign nationals should review USCIS’s website to determine eligibility for temporary protected status (“TPS”). Under some circumstances, a TPS beneficiary may become eligible for permanent residency. For noncitizens victimized in the United States, Congress authorized U-1 visas. American law authorizes U visa beneficiaries to apply for permanent residency.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security enacted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. People commonly refer to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program as “DACA.” To learn more about these programs, please visit this firm’s various webpages.