Apply for EMERGENCY Advance Parole as a DACA recipient

An advance parole (AP) document allows non-U.S. citizens who are living in the U.S. to temporarily travel abroad and re-enter the country. Before leaving the U.S., noncitizens, including DACA recipients, MUST obtain an AP document.

DACA recipients can request AP only if they will travel for employment, humanitarian, or educational reasons. Currently (July 2023), it takes about four to eight months for USCIS to process a mailed AP application. But if a DACA recipient needs to travel urgently for humanitarian reasons, they can apply for emergency AP in person at their local USCIS field office.

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Note: Requesting emergency advance parole is not a substitute for delaying your Advance Parole application. This should only be used for emergency situations. To avoid delays in your travel plans, mail in your AP application about 8 months before your intended travel dates.

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DACA recipients have applied for and obtained an AP document to travel for an emergency humanitarian purpose. Some examples include:

• a medical procedure that the DACA recipient urgently needs and is unable to access in the U.S.
• being a caregiver to a family member undergoing their own medical procedure or other emergency;
• visiting a very sick/ailing family member;
• or attending a funeral.

Talk to an immigration lawyer who can explain your specific risks of traveling outside the U.S. and coming back. USCIS may grant a DACA recipient an advance parole document even if it is not in the applicant’s best interest to travel abroad. If you need general information about AP, check out this guide.

Important Note: USCIS grants DACA recipients advance parole at its discretion. When USCIS field officers review emergency AP applications, they have the power to decide whether the travel need is urgent. The USCIS field office may not approve your emergency AP application and may tell you to apply with USCIS by mail.

Step 1: Gather all necessary documents

1. A completed and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (this cannot be filed online).
2. The Form I-131 filing fee in the form of a check or credit/debit card (money orders are not accepted at the field office). The fee is currently $630, but applicants should check the USCIS website before filing.
3. Two passport-style photos.
4. A copy of your Employment Authorization Document and/or most recent DACA Approval Notice.
5. Your written statement explaining your immediate need to travel.
6. Evidence to support the emergency request
   1. To support traveling for an urgent humanitarian purpose, applicants can include medical documentation, doctor’s notes, relative’s letter, death certificate, funeral arrangements, etc.
   2. Tips:
      1. Remember that documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
      2. Keep in mind that a notarized letter from a relative can support other documents you provide, but will likely not be enough on its own. For example, a death certificate or a letter from the funeral home is stronger evidence than a letter from a family member about the recent death.
7. A cover letter explaining the purpose of travel and summarizing the documents included in your application (see example) (optional)
8. A copy of the biographic page of your current, valid passport (optional)

Applying for advance parole is exhausting, both emotionally and financially.

• It makes us dream of something that may not be within reach.
• Getting a denial is soul crushing, especially after all that work.
• Imagining yourself in a different country after years of being inside the U.S. can in itself stir many emotions. Especially if you are traveling for humanitarian reasons.
• Re-entering the U.S. may also come with stress and anxiety. See our other advance parole guide for helpful advice to keep in mind when re-entering the U.S.

Remember to take care of yourself before, during, and after the AP process. See here for mental health resources to help you during this.