The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will be streamlining application processing, as well as exempting filing fees, for Afghan nationals resettling into the U.S.
DHS said in a release that its new process will involve Afghan nationals who were paroled into the country for humanitarian reasons on or after July 30. It is estimated that 70,000 Afghans have entered the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome. The statement explains that DHS paroled Afghan nationals on a case-by-case basis for what is described as “urgent humanitarian reasons” in the largest airlift in the nation’s history.
“By providing these evacuees with access to streamlined processing and fee exemptions, we will open doors of opportunity for our Afghan allies and help them begin to rebuild their lives in communities across our country more quickly,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “These actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to Afghan nationals who provided valuable assistance to the United States over the past two decades as well as other Afghans at risk.”
Processing requests involving work authorization, Green Cards and other services will be streamlined, according to Homeland Security Today.
There are three major fee exemptions.The first is an initial application form for employment authorization known as “Form I-175. Another is an application form called I-485 to register a permanent residence or adjust status if filing as an Afghan special immigrant. Another is Form I-601, which is an application for waiver of grounds of inadmissibility. Associated biometric service fees are also exempt.
These forms will be streamlined, along with Form I-589, which some Afghan parolees file. This entails extending government funding and delivering emergency assistance. There is also the opportunity for Afghan nationals to apply for benefits such as being granted asylum.
For more information about the exemptions and streamlining, log onto the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
