Advance Parole Assistance Program - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN:
The California-Mexico Studies Center (CMSC) is relaunching the Humanitarian Advance Parole Assistance Program (HAPAP), an unprecedented effort aimed to encourage and assist DACA recipients who have urgent humanitarian cases to apply for an Advance Parole travel permit. This program is especially designed for DACA holders who have an urgent family crisis with documentable evidence of serious illness or terminal condition medical cases.
What is the application process to be accepted into your program and to move forward with filing for an Advance Parole application?
To be considered for acceptance into our program, applicants must complete a four-step application process which requires the following:
- Step 1: Complete and submit the online application form
- Step 2: Once your application is submitted, we will send you a confirmation email with instructions to schedule a Skype/Zoom interview to discuss your eligibility and reasons to apply, and to determine whether or not you qualify to move forward with our program and application process.
- Step 3: Once you have been accepted into our program, you will be given a timeframe and a set of instructions to fill out your I-131 Advance Parole application and gather all supporting documentation.
- Step 4: We will schedule a second Skype/Zoom meeting to go over your application files and to ensure you are ready to mail out your Advance Parole application to USCIS.
What do you mean by “urgent humanitarian need”?
The following qualify as urgent humanitarian needs:
- if you have a close relative like a dad, mom, sibling, or grandparent who is very ill, or in critical health conditions.
- If you have a close relative who recently passed away and you need to attend a funeral and/or make mortuary, personal and estate arrangements for them.
Are you also accepting applications for Educational and/or Employment purposes?
The HAPAP program is for humanitarian cases only, however, the CMSC also offers applicants an opportunity to apply for an Educational Advance Parole through the California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for your assistance program?
In order to be considered and accepted into our program, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Have an active DACA status
- Must have no criminal and/or immigration record
- Have an urgent humanitarian need to travel abroad
- Must be able to pay the $575 I-131 Advance Parole application fee
- Must be able to pay a $500 non-refundable program fee
What does the $500 program fee include?
The non-refundable $500 fee includes the Advance Parole application preparation, legal advice and filing assistance, as well as a letter in support of your application explaining the urgency of your case.
Will your organization pay for the Advance Parole application fees?
No. Participants are required to pay USCIS for the I-131 Advance Parole Application fee ($575).
If I have previously been charged with a felony, misdemeanor, DUI, arrested, have a pending court appearance, order of deportation, or any other criminal and/or immigration record, do I qualify to apply?
No. Unfortunately, if you have been charged with a felony, misdemeanor, DUI, arrested, have a pending court appearance, order of deportation, or any other outstanding criminal record, we will not accept you into our program. Your safety and ability to successfully return to the U.S. is our number one priority.
My current DACA work permit will be expiring soon but I am currently renewing it, can I still apply?
In order to qualify for our program and to apply for Advance Parole, your current DACA/work permit must not expire before your intended travel dates. Participants must have an active DACA status upon return, otherwise you will be jeopardizing your DACA status and may not be allowed back in the U.S.
I live outside of the Los Angeles area, or in another state, do I qualify to apply?
Yes, we encourage applicants from any state in the United States to apply, as long as they have an urgent documentable reason to apply for Advance Parole.
ADVANCE PAROLE APPLICATION PROCESS & TRAVEL SAFETY
Do I have to file for Advance Parole prior to applying to your assistance program?
No, you don't have to apply for Advance Parole prior to applying to our program. Once selected, participants will be instructed on how to apply for Advance Parole under the supervision and guidance of CMSC staff and legal counsel.
Will I Receive Supporting Paperwork About The Program To Include With My Advance Parole Application?
No. You are responsible to acquire all supporting documentation related to your specific humanitarian case. However, the CMSC will provide you with guidance to prepare and complete the Advance Parole applications and will offer instructions on how to acquire and handle the supporting documentation.
Are we going to get legal Assistance to apply for Advance Parole?
Yes. All selected participants will prepare their Advance Parole applications under the guidance and supervision of the CMSC and legal counsel.
If the Advance Parole applications get denied or rejected, will your organization or USCIS refund the money?
The application fees for Advance Parole may be refunded if the application is administratively suspended by USCIS, or they will keep the fees if the application is processed whether it is denied or approved. All applicants must take responsibility for the fees that they pay, it’s at their own risk. The CMSC will not refund any application fees for applications that get denied.
Are there any risks in applying for and traveling with Advance Parole?
There is no risk in applying for Advance Parole, however, if approved there has always been a disclaimer by the government that they may not readmit you to come back to the U.S. if there are any legal issues with the individual’s record, given that an individual’s admission into the country is up to the discretion of CBP officers at the point of entry. This is why the CMSC performs a rigorous interview and background check process to determine applicants’ immigration/legal eligibility and safety to travel abroad and return to the U.S..
Also, the CMSC has a close working relationship with over 100 U.S. Representatives and Senators, as well as close ties with Mexico’s Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE), the U.S. Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C., and the General Consulates of Mexico in Los Angeles and San Diego that have previously provided the CMSC with legal assistance and representation.
Do you help with Advance Parole applications for TPS and/or DED recipients?
No. Our campaign is solely focused on helping DACA recipients apply for Advance Parole. Currently, we are not assisting any other Deferred Action programs like TPS or DED recipients.
Contact us if you have any questions, email us at admin@calmexcenter.org or call our office at (562) 430-5541 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm (PST).
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