USCIS recently announced that it will implement a parole policy for U visa petitioners and qualifying family members who live abroad. The U visa is available to immigrant victims of crimes who have been helpful in the investigation of certain qualifying crimes and who meet other criteria. Since only 10,000 U visas are available each fiscal year, many foreign nationals and their family members are eligible for U visas, but are placed on a wait list until visas become available. The new policy – which will likely take effect sometime in 2017 – will allow parole, or temporary permission to enter the U.S., to those U visa petitioners and qualifying derivative family members who live abroad. There will be a new form for individuals requesting parole, for which concurrent filing with the U visa petition will be available. The new form and policy guidance are expected to become available sometime in 2017.
USCIS to adopt parole policy for U visa petitioners and family members abroad
