Termination of the Categorical Parole Programs for Certain Individuals Present in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
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UPDATE: USCIS has announced that it will automatically extend parole under Public Law 116-24, and employment authorization if applicable, for certain residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This extension of parole will provide relief while USCIS establishes procedures for obtaining the new CNMI Resident status, which was created by the Northern Mariana Islands Long-Term Legal Residents Relief Act (PDF) (Public Law 116-24), signed by President Trump on June 25, 2019. Read more here: “Northern Mariana Islands Long-Term Legal Residents Relief Act” Guidance for Certain Individuals Present in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
Effective immediately, the categorical CNMI parole programs are terminated. This affects USCIS parole programs for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and certain stateless individuals; CNMI permanent residents, immediate relatives of CNMI permanent residents, and immediate relatives of citizens of the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or Palau); and certain in-home foreign worker caregivers of CNMI residents.
After any parole authorized through these programs expires, USCIS will not renew that parole. Although USCIS will not otherwise authorize re-parole under these programs, it will allow a transitional parole period and extension of employment authorization (if applicable) for up to 180 days for affected individuals, with parole not extending beyond June 29, 2019. The transitional parole period of up to 180 days will help ensure an orderly wind-down of the programs and provide an opportunity for individuals to prepare to depart or seek another lawful status.
Current parolees who have requested an extension of parole from USCIS will receive a letter granting an additional 180 days transitional parole, unless there is a specific reason to deny the request as determined on a case-by-case basis. For those parolees with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiring at the same time as their parole, that letter and the EAD will serve as evidence of identity and work authorization for employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) purposes during the 180-day period.
USCIS will also issue a new EAD valid for the duration of the re-parole period to those parolees who request an extension of parole. The new EAD will be issued automatically upon approval for the period of re-parole, and no new employment authorization application or fee will be required. Current parolees with upcoming expiration dates who have not yet requested an extension of parole, and who desire to receive the additional period of transitional parole, should request such transitional parole as soon as possible. Information on how to complete a request is available on our website.