Refugee Status

Refugees come to the United States for a variety of reasons. The most widely known reasons are to escape from war-torn areas, or political/personal persecution.

Category definitions:

Refugee- by definition is escaping an area of conflict. Individuals granted refugee status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) while outside the U.S are unable to live in their country of origin because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Approximately 8,000-9,000 official refugees arrive in Texas annually.

• Apply to United States for refugee status
• Go through a screening process for disease and vaccinations
• Can take up to 10 years

Asylees- Individuals granted asylum by the USCIS after entering the U.S. Asylees are unable to return to their country of origin because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.Theey are under the protection of the United States Government if they:

• Had a visa to enter the United States or are here illegally (Parolee)
• Asked the government for asylum due to threats to their personal safety

Parolee: Individuals with special permission to enter the U.S. under emergency conditions or when that person’s entry into the U.S. is considered to be in the public’s interest.

Cuban/Haitian Entrant- an individual granted parole status as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant.

• As defined by USCIS and in accordance with Title V of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980.

Amerasians - An individual who is fathered by a U.S. citizen and born in Vietnam after January 1,1962 and before January 1, 1976.

Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIV) – Iraqi and Afghan national who worked directly with the U.S. armed forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter for a period of at least 12 months.

• An individual granted status under section 1059 of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Victim of Severe Trafficking - an individual under The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 who is a victim of severe forms of trafficking.

• Not a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. but has been certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP).

Afghan Humanitarian Parolees - A citizen or national of Afghanistan (including unaccompanied minors) paroled into the U.S. under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023.

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee - A citizen or national of Ukraine who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 due to urgent humanitarian reasons.

Non-Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees - A non-Ukrainian individual who last habitually resided in Ukraine, who DHS paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 due to urgent humanitarian reasons.

For the most complete and up-to date information on eligible statuses and related immigration documentation, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement website.