Humanitarian Immigration

The U.S. government has several programs that provide humanitarian relief to those in need. Typically, being granted humanitarian relief does not mean you receive a green card. Instead, you are allowed to remain in the United States so long as your status remains valid. In other words, this relief stops you from being deported. Many individuals who are granted humanitarian relief can later apply for a green card so long as certain requirements are met.

Some examples of humanitarian relief programs include:

• Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) provides immigration relief to children who were brought to the U.S. as children
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides immigration relief to nationals of countries designated by the U.S. to be unsafe to return to, for reasons such as war and natural disasters 
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides immigration relief to abused spouses and children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• T Visas and U Visas provide immigration relief to certain victims of crimes, and generally requires the applicant to assist law enforcement in prosecuting the perpetrator