Asylum Chat June 17, 2016

Transcription

1 Asylum Chat June 17, 2016 P3 Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) Family Reunification Central American Minors Reunification Program (CAM AOR) Match Grant Program Presenters: World Relief Seattle 841 Central Ave N, Suite C-106 Kent, WA T: F: Katie Stoppler Nathan Nelson Orientation and Service Coordinator Employment Specialist T: x260 T: x223 C: P3 AOR Refugees and asylees who are in the U.S. for less than 5 years and are 18 years or older can apply for their parents, spouse, or unmarried child under the age of 21. There is a possibility of adding other relatives (such as brother or sisters, grandchildren) as derivative of the qualifying family member, depending on the situation. Applicant would need to explain how relationship works and why they have to be included. For example, if applying for parents beneficiary, may argue that older children are necessary to care for them, or for abandoned children who have no other caretakers. These determinations are made on a case by case basis. There is no guarantee that family members would be kept together throughout the process. Family members must be outside of their country of origin. Must provide proof of UNHCR registration. Must be on list of eligible nationalities. The list of countries has mostly stayed the same. Must apply through resettlement agency. There is no application fee, but applicant has to pay for DNA testing (may be reimbursed). World Relief has relationship with local AABB lab. o DNA testing costs may be reimbursed if test results are positive, even if the application is ultimately denied (for other ineligibility reasons).

2 If the applicant does not fit program requirements for P3 AOR, World Relief will refer to other immigration specialists. Process (see AOR Program Timeline posted online) o Local office submits application to home office. o Home office sends application overseas to RPC (refugee processing center). o RPC creates IDs and submit case to RSC, which starts DNA testing. o At this point, it becomes a waiting game. There is no timeline for this program. Decision may take a couple years, not including background checks, which happen afterwards. There is also an interview process. Adjudicators don t give reasoning for denial, just a letter denying. It is up to the petitioner then to request further follow-up for reason or request reconsideration by contacting overseas agency. If approved, family gets admitted as refugees. This program is typically for when I-730 is not an available option. o Some notable differences between I-730 and AOR: I-730 AOR Within 2 years Within 5 years Parent, spouse, unmarried child <21 Same plus possibility of additional family members Derivative benefits based on Principal benefits Family member relationship to principal. needs to meet refugee definition in own right. Gets admitted as principal refugee. Any country nationality Any country residence Only listed countries of nationalities Family member must be outside country of origin. Can apply only through resettlement agency o There is a perception amongst refugees that this program is quicker compared to the I-730 process, particularly if family member is living in refugee camp. In reality though, that s not necessarily true. Contact: seattleaor@wr.org o There is no income requirement for referrals. CAM AOR Extension of the AOR program for Central American minors Qualifying parent in the U.S. can apply for unmarried child under the age of 21, who is a national of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras, and is residing in his or her country of nationality. Established in Dec Similar in a lot of ways to AOR, but some notable differences:

3 o Qualifying parent (anchor) must be lawfully present in one of the following categories at the time of filing: LPR TPS withholding of removal parole (must have at least one year remaining at the time of application) DACA deferred action (including U deferred action) deferred enforced departure Note that refugee and asylee are not listed, because they can do I-730. o Qualifying child must still be residing in their country Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras. (Opposite of P3 requirement) There is DNA testing, and costs may be reimbursed if results are positive. Parent who is part of the same economic unit/household can be added as derivative, as well as child of the qualifying child. RPC office is in the capital cities, and will contact the guardian of the children. If denied refugee status, they have opportunity to contest that and also opportunity to be granted parole status instead. So if they can t meet the definition of refugee, they can be considered for parole. Differences o For refugees, all expenses are paid for you, including an IOM loan for the plane ticket. As refugees, they qualify for refugee resettlement benefits and assistance. o For parole, IOM still facilitates the process, but you have to pay for everything, including travel costs, background check investigation, and medical clearance. If approved for parole, beneficiary is given the option of whether or not they wish to proceed. Case is evaluated for whether anchor parent in the U.S. can provide financially for the family. Almost all are given 2-year parole, with possibility for renewal. At this point, it is unclear the chances of obtaining renewal since no one s parole under this program has expired yet. Anchor s status is not linked to CAM renewal, so it s okay if the anchor s is no longer in status. Anchor just has to have status throughout the application process. If the anchor passes away, chances of being granted parole or parole renewal are probably slim with loss of the financial sponsor. But that s not a concern for refugees, since they receive government funding. Timeline o Program is still relatively new, so not much statistics. First family arrived 9 months after application. Current projected timeline is still within a year. Get the word out! Nathan is a staff at World Relief and speaks Spanish! Other volunteer agencies are also accepting CAM AORs. Resources: Additional handouts, flyers (in English and Spanish), and other resources for the AOR and CAM programs are posted on the AILA WA website!

4 Match Grant Match grant is an early employment program that provides financial assistance to refugees and asylees. Applicant must be considered employable within 4 months. Applicant must apply within 30 days of admission as refugee or grant of asylum. The program provides: o rent assistance until the asylee/refugee finds a job o additional cash assistance o employment services o ESL classes o caseworker The program goes up to 6 months. Financial assistance is provided for the first 4 months, at which point will be evaluated for possible extension (for example, if you just got a job at 4 months and need a little extra to tide over). To qualify for match grant, the individual cannot be receiving any other cash benefits, such as refugee cash assistance, TANF, etc. Food stamps, however, are okay. o So applicants who could potentially qualify for match grant are advised to hold off on applying for any DSHS benefits other than food stamps and let World Relief help determine what will be best. REPEAT: Don t apply for cash benefits (RCA, TANF, etc.) until determination for match grant eligibility! o They will help you apply for DSHS benefits if it turns out that you don t qualify for match grant or if it s determined that you d get more money from DSHS programs. (For example, a single mother with multiple children may benefit more from TANF than realistically from employment through match grant.) o World Relief will try to determine what benefit program would be best within one week of the refugee s arrival or when the applicant walks through their door. Program is under-subscribed right now because not many know of it. So please take advantage and sign up before the 30-day deadline! Match grant isn t the only program they handle. They also have other programs that cover up to five years of the refugee admission/asylum grant, including other employment and education services. So even if you re past the 30-day deadline, it s still worth contacting them to see what services are available! Other services: Jewish Family Services s Tatweer Initiative is a job program for refugees/asylees with advanced degrees. AILA Pro Bono Committee highlighted it in a February to the listserv.

5 Goodwill and Literary Source also have ESL programs. There are so many free ESL programs around the area that you should never have to pay for ESL class. For educational opportunities, if they pass ESL 6 level, can refer to general community college (like Highline Community College). There are also additional ongoing certification programs available through college.