What is "Humanitarian Parole?"

The USCIS has issued a Fact Sheet explaining Humanitarian Parole, how to apply, fees, supporting evidence required, etc.  

Humanitarian parole allows a person to enter the US temporarily due to urgent humanitarian reasons. Parole cannot be used to avoid regular visa-issuing procedures or to bypass immigration procedures. An applicant for parole will need to show why she was not able to get a visa to enter the US. Parole does not confer any permanent immigration status, but does enable a recipient to apply for work authorization.

Humanitarian parole is typically granted for the duration of the emergency or compelling situation at issue. The parolee can request an extension of the parole period, however.

Humanitarian parole is applied for using a Form I-131 (available here). For more information about Humanitarian Parole, please contact my office.

April 2010 Visa Bulletin released

The US Department of State has released the new Visa Bulletin for April 2010. In family-based categories, there is very slight movement forward, but just by a few weeks or months in most categories.

Employment-based categories remain "Current" for all 1st preference applicants, and for 2nd preference from Mexico, Philippines, and countries other than India and China. EB-2 for China moves forward by about 6 weeks, and EB-2 for India stays at 2/1/05, like last month.  EB-3 for China advances by about 7 weeks, India advances by 9 weeks, Mexico stays the same, Philippines and ROW advance by 6 weeks. EB-3 Other Workers has stayed at June 2001 since October 2009 for every country except India. India moved to June 2001 in Jan. 2010 and has stayed there since then.