SA ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act, ang Kalihim ng Homeland Security ay may discretion na magbigay ng parole. Ang parole ay nagpapahintulot sa ilang mga dayuhang inadmissible o may ineligibility na ma-admit sa US na pisikal na pumasok sa US nang pansamantala. Ang Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ay maaaring magbigay ng parole kapag may determinasyon na: (1) mayroong mabilisang pangangailangan, makataong dahilan, o makabuluhang benepisyong pampubliko para ang dayuhan pumasok sa US; at (2) ang dayuhan ay nababagay sa kanais-nais na paggamit ng pagpapasya. Ang mabilisang pangangailangan ay maipapakita kung ang aksyon ay time-sensitive, tulad ng kritikal na kondisyong medical ng kapamilya, ang pagbisita at pag-alaga sa isang miyembro ng pamilya na nasa katapusan ng sakit sa yugto ng buhay, ang pagpunta sa libing o para ayusin ang mga gawain ng kamag-anak na namatay sa US. Ang parole na base sa makabuluhang benepisyong pampubliko ay tulad ng partisipasyon ng dayuhan bilang testigo sa isang kasong sibil o kasong kriminal dahil masasabing ang pagtestigo ng dayuhan ay magbibigay ng hustisya. Kung ang parole ay ibibigay, ito ay para sa panahon na pansamantala upang maisakatuparan ang layunin nito.
Bilang karagdagan sa normal na parole process, ang DHS ay nagtatag ng mga special parole programs. Isa na dito ang Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program (FWVP) na naging epektibo noong Hunyo 8, 2016. Sa ilalim ng FWVP, may mga Filipino World War II veterans (at kanilang mga asawa) na US citizen o lawful permanent resident na maaaring humingi ng parole para sa mga pamilya na nasa labas ng US ngunit mayroon nang aprubadong immigrant petition. Kung ang parole ay maaaprubahan, maaari na silang pumunta ng US upang muling magkasama-sama ang pamilya sa US bago pag maging available ang kanilang visa number.
Ang pagbigay ng parole ay hindi automatic ngunit sinusuri ng case-to-case basis. Ang USCIS ay maaaring mag-expedite ng proseso dahil sa urgent humanitarian reasons. Bukod sa pagsunod sa mga alituntunin ng FWVP, ang beneficiary ay kailangang: (1) pumasa sa criminal at national security background checks; (2) pumasa sa medical exam; at (3) nababagay sa kanais-nais na paggamit ng pagpapasya. Kung ang parole application ay maaaprubahan, ito ay ipapasa ng USCIS sa National Visa Center. Pagkatapos nito, ang kaso ay ililipat sa US Embassy in Manila para sa interbyu ng beneficiary. Mga 6 buwan ang proseso mula sa pag-file ng FWVP application hanggang sa pagbigay ng travel document ng US Embassy sa beneficiary. Kapag na-parole na sa US sa ilalim ng FWVP Program, ang parolee ay maaaring mag-apply ng work authorization at pwede na ring mag-antay sa US para sa availability ng family-based green card.
Noong Agosto, 2019, ang USCIS ay nagpahayag ng intension nito na tapusin na ang FWVP sang-ayon sa Executive Order 13767, Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements. Ito ay isang kahina-hinayang pangyayari na sumasalamin ng mga kasalukuyang immigration policies. Ngunit sinabi din ng USCIS na lahat ng pending cases ay tatapusin, kaya’t lahat ng kwalipikado sa ilalim ng FWVP ay hinihikayat na mag-apply habang epektibo pa ang FWVP.
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Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security has discretion to grant parole. Parole allows certain aliens who may be inadmissible or otherwise ineligible for admission into the US to physically enter the US for a temporary period. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant parole it determines that: (1) there are urgent or humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit reasons for a person to be in the US, and (2) that person merits a favorable exercise of discretion. An applicant may demonstrate urgency by establishing that a reason to be in the US that calls for immediate or time-sensitive action, for example, critical medical action of family, or the need to visit, assist or support a family member who is at an end of life stage of an illness or disease, or coming to attend a funeral or to settle the affairs of a deceased relative in the US. Parole based on significant public benefit includes law enforcement and national security reasons, or foreign or domestic family considerations. For example, an applicant’s participation in civil or criminal legal proceedings may constitute a significant public benefit because the opportunity for all relevant parties to participate in legal proceedings may be required for justice to be served. If the parole is authorized, the parole is specified for a specific duration or a temporary period to accomplish the purpose of the parole.
In addition to the parole process, DHS has established special parole programs, one of which is the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program (FWVP). Under the FWVP, which became effective on June 8, 2016, certain Filipino World War II veterans and their spouses who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents may request parole for family members outside the US who have approved visa petitions. If approved for parole, these family members will be able to reunite in the US before their immigrant visas become available.
The grant of parole is not automatic but evaluated on a case-to-case basis. USCIS may consider an expedite request based on urgent humanitarian reasons. Aside from meeting FWVP guidelines, beneficiaries must also: (1) pass criminal and national security background checks; (2) pass a medical exam; and (3) warrant a favorable exercise of discretion. If the application is approved, it will be forwarded to the National Visa Center, which will then transfer the case to the US Embassy in Manila where the beneficiary will be interviewed. It takes around 6 months to process an FWVP application from receipt of application to issuance of travel document. Once paroled into the US under the FWVP Program, the parolee is eligible for work authorization and can wait in the US for their family-based green card to be available.
On August 2, 2019, USCIS announced its intention to terminate the FWVP consistent with Executive Order 13767, Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements. This is an unfortunate development reflecting current immigration policies. However, USCIS has also stated that all pending cases will be processed to completion, so all those qualified under FVWP are encouraged to apply while the program is still effective.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
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