For Afghans

Organizations in the United States are advocating that the government open all humanitarian pathways to vulnerable Afghans in need of protection. This page seeks to serve as a starting point to help direct vulnerable Afghans toward currently available resources.

دری (Dari) | پښتو (Pashto)

Arriving in the US

Airport Support and Arrivals

• What to do and expect once you have arrived at a US airport
• Afghan Parole Information from DHS – English | Pashto | Dari
  • Process and eligibility information from USCIS

Legal and Immigration Support

• Referral form to Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA)
• Humanitarian parole information (ADEP)

Resource Roundup

• Including resources on federal policy, cultural orientation, and digital access and inclusion

In Afghanistan

Evacuation Assistance

• Information and “lessons learned” from US military veterans to assist Afghans in and around Kabul seeking access to the airport and evacuation

Protecting Digital Identity

• Human Rights First resource on steps to take to protect your identity online
  • Evading the Misuse of Biometric Data – English | Pashto | Dari
  • How to Delete Your Digital History – English | Pashto | Dari

Guides to Understanding Eligibility

• Pathways to Relocate to the United States
• Information on Resettlement of Afghan Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (ICMC)
• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)
  • IRAP guide to SIV program
  • PRM resources on SIV program
• Priority 2 (P2) Program
  • IRAP self-help guide for the P2 program
  • PRM resources on P2 program
• UK relocation program – for Afghans who worked for the United Kingdom
• Humanitarian parole

Understanding Types of Protection

Special Immigrant Visa (SIV):

The SIV program is available to Afghan nationals who were employed by, or on behalf of the US government within Afghanistan. This program is intended to allow those who qualify, and their direct family members, to apply directly to the US for resettlement, as opposed to waiting for UNHCR referral. After their cases have been approved, SIVs receive resettlement services from a local resettlement office.

Priority 2 (P2):

A P2 designation means that this is a group of “special concern” to the US government. The new P2 designation for Afghanistan expands beyond the SIV program to include those who don’t meet the minimum time-in-service requirement for the above, and those who worked in Afghanistan for a US-based media company or a non-governmental organization. After their cases have been approved, P2s receive resettlement services from a local resettlement office.

Asylum:

A person can seek asylum in the United States if they meet the definition of a refugee. They can apply for asylum from within the US or at a US port of entry. Asylum seekers can seek work authorization while awaiting final decision on their case. Once they have been approved for asylum, they can receive services from a local resettlement office.

Humanitarian Parole:

For many Afghans arriving in the US, they will likely be initially seeking humanitarian parole, which is a temporary status allowing the parolee to stay in the United States up to 365 days while applying for a longer term solution. Under current law, parolees are only able to apply for work authorization, they can only access resettlement services or benefits once they have been granted a separate status (such as asylee, SIV, etc.).