Legal definition of Advance parole
Advance Parole is a travel document that allows individuals to leave the United States while their green card application is being processed by USCIS. Leaving the country without this authorization may be interpreted by USCIS as abandoning the application, risking the cancellation of the green card request. Therefore, it’s a crucial document for travelers to the USA and should be kept with the passport during travels.
Advance Parole is granted to individuals awaiting green cards, as well as asylum seekers, DACA or TPS beneficiaries. It’s also available for those adjusting status under non-immigrant T or U, and individuals on humanitarian parole. This document allows visits to sick relatives, educational programs abroad, and professional travel such as missions, job interviews, or entrepreneurial activities.
To apply for Advance Parole, you must submit Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to USCIS. You’ll also need to provide them with two passport-style photos, a copy of your passport or employment authorization document (EAD), and a copy of the receipt notice for your green card application. If you applied for a work permit (Form I-765) along with your green card, USCIS will process the work permit before Advance Parole.
The Advance Parole is valid for a period of 1 year, but it can be renewed 120 days before its expiration. To do so, you must submit Form I-131 along with a copy of your current travel document, two passport-style photos, and a copy of the receipt notice for your green card application. You must also provide an explanation for the renewal and any additional information requested by USCIS. Be sure to submit the renewal application well in advance to avoid any interruption in your travel authorization while waiting for your application to be processed.
Etymology of Advance parole
The term “Advance” originates from the Old French “avancir, avancier,” meaning “to advance, move forward, progress,” and “Parole” from the French “parole,” meaning “word, speech.” It was in this context that the term “Advance Parole” was interpreted in 1908 to refer to the conditional release of a prisoner before the expiration of their sentence. In the realm of immigration, this concept is crucial for the American immigration system, indicating the procedure of early authorization granted to individuals wishing to travel abroad for reasons defined by USCIS.