APA Update 4/13/2022: OAW I-94s, SS Card Replacement, Resource Alert

Afghan Placement & Assistance

UPDATE

APA UPDATE is broadcast separately from the Resettlement Connection to release important time sensitive information regarding the Afghan Placement & Assistance Program.

Ensuring OAW Evacuees’ I-94 Documents Accurately Reflect 2 Years of Parole

Afghan evacuees admitted on/before August 25, 2021 may have initially received 1 year of humanitarian parole – these clients’ passports/I-94s often have the “DT” admission code. Since the length of humanitarian parole for Afghan evacuees was later extended to 2 years, these clients’ original passports/I-94s may not reflect their full two-year parole. USCCB’s understanding is that CBP intends to update clients’ electronic I-94s to reflect two years of parole. However, clients/staff may not realize that the I-94 in the client’s possession is outdated, especially if the client is out of their APA service period.

USCCB recommends that affiliates confirm all APA clients are in possession of an I-94 that correctly shows 2 years of parole (an example of an accurate I-94 is below).

If an APA client’s I-94 only reflects 1 year of parole – the “Admit Until Date” is only 1 year after the “Most Recent Date of Entry” - affiliate staff should reach out directly to OAWCoordinationCell@cbp.dhs.gov to request that the “Admit Until Date” is updated as needed.

This I-94 correctly shows the client has 2 years of parole - they were admitted August 29, 2021, and their parole lasts two years (the "Admit Until Date" is August 28, 2023)

Reminder: Cultural Orientation Assessment for APA Arrivals

The CORE Model Assessment, used in Cultural Orientation, is only required for R&P clients. APA clients are exempt from this requirement. Resettlement agencies may still find it helpful to utilize the assessment, but it is not required.

Reminder: Attached Minor 30-Day Follow-Up Calls from the Providencia Group

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has contracted with The Providencia Group (TPG) to provide 30-day follow-up wellness calls to all Afghan attached parolee minors (attached minors are children who did not resettle with their biological or legally adoptive parents). Clients may receive phone calls from TPG as part of this service. TPG has provided more information about their services – the flyer is available on MRSConnect (must be logged in) in English, Pashto, and Dari.

Reminder: Requesting Replacement SS Cards/Employment Authorization Documents

All APA sites are maintaining a list in OneDrive of APA clients missing their EADs and/or SS cards. IOM sent a new round of updates on Phase I (arrived 9/1/2021 - 2/19/2022 to your site) APA clients on 3/25/2022, and many of the responses were “please re-apply.” There has been some confusion about what “re-apply” means; USCCB has updated the language in the OneDrive folders to more accurately describe next steps. Please refer to USCCB/MRS’ APA documentation guide on MRSConnect for more information.

Resource Alert

National Immigration Forum (NIF) recently published two new informational resources:

One-pager comparing Humanitarian Parole, TPS, Asylum, SIV, and a potential Adjustment Act
Article explaining the content of the infographic in more detail

Upcoming Trainings & Events

Thursday, April 21: 12-1:00pm ET “LSP Roundtable: Pro bono Program Development & Engagement” The panelists will be VECINA, PALA, Irfana Anwer (Managing Attorney, Pro Bono, Ayuda), Kojo Asamoa-Caesar (Pro Bono Coordinator, Immigration Legal Services, Catholic Charities Tulsa, OK) and Catherine N. Lindgren (Afghanistan Project Attorney, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project). The panel will discuss how legal service providers can build out their capacity to assist in providing legal aid to recent Afghan arrivals. This roundtable will provide an overview of how each organization developed their pro bono program model, how they initiate pro bono engagement and how they utilize their pro bono partners to expand capacity. There will be time for Q&A and an open discussion. Join Zoom Meeting here. Meeting ID: 920 3611 9796 / Passcode: 720032

‌