In U.S. immigration law, “parole” and “admission” are two distinct concepts with different legal implications:
- Admission:
- Admission occurs when a non-citizen arrives at a U.S. port of entry and is granted legal entry into the United States by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
- A person who is admitted has been inspected and allowed to enter the U.S. based on a valid entry document, such as a visa, or under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or they are a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
- Being admitted means the individual is legally in the country and enjoys the rights and benefits associated with their specific visa category or LPR status.
- Admission is a formal immigration status that can be the basis for applying for a change of status or adjustment of status if eligible.
- Parole:
- Parole, on the other hand, is not a formal admission to the U.S. Instead, it’s a temporary authorization to be in the United States for a specific purpose and duration.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has discretion to grant parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
- A person who is paroled has not passed through the standard admissions process and does not enjoy the same status as someone who has been admitted.
- Parolees are allowed to enter and remain in the U.S. temporarily and are typically given a specific period of authorized stay.
- Parole does not lead directly to permanent residency or provide a path to adjustment of status unless under specific legislative acts or circumstances.
- Examples include humanitarian parole, advance parole (for those with pending immigration applications who need to leave temporarily), and public interest parole.
In summary, being admitted involves a formal immigration process resulting in a recognized status that carries certain rights and potential paths to long-term residency. Parole is a discretionary measure used to allow individuals into the country for a temporary period without a formal immigration status, generally for a compelling reason and without the full benefits or rights of someone who has been admitted.