Welcome to USCCB’s Afghan Legal Resource Library. Here you will find resources that support Afghan nationals’ immigration legal needs. For additional non-legal information, advocacy tools, and policy updates, please visit:
USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants Campaign
BACKGROUNDER
Overview: Afghan Evacuees & the Advocacy for Adjustment Act | USCCB
Overview: Afghan Resettlement Backgrounder for Community Volunteers | PRM, ORR
Webinar: Understanding the Afghan Refugee Crisis | HRF
Webinar: Cultural and Practical Considerations for Working with Afghan Clients | Switchboard
IMMIGRATION PATHWAYS OVERVIEW
Bill Summary: The Afghan Adjustment Act | NIF
Overview: Immigration Pathways for Afghans Inside & Outside of US | USCCB
PowerPoint: Immigration Pathways for Afghans | Cornell Law School
Practice Advisory: Assisting Citizens of Afghanistan | CLINIC
Webinar: Assisting Citizens of Afghanistan | CLINIC
Overview: Options for Evacuated Afghans | NIF
Overview: Immigration Pathways | IRAP
Overview: Afghans and Public Charge | CLINIC
CLIENT ORIENTATION
Video: Introduction to Parole | Christopher Chaney, USCCB OAW Legal Services
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Video: Immigration, Green Cards, and Finding Legal Assistance | Settle In
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Video: Temporary Protected Status for Afghans | Settle In
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Video: Asylum for Afghans | Settle In
*Available in Dari and Pashto
PowerPoint: Introduction to Parole | Christopher Chaney, USCCB OAW Legal Services
Script: Introduction to Parole | Christopher Chaney, USCCB OAW Legal Services
Flyer: Filing AR-11 | USCIS
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Infographic: Family Reunification | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: SIV (Before July 20 2022) | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: Asylum Process | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: Asylum Eligibility | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: Asylum Benefits | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: TPS & Humanitarian Parole | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: TPS Process | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: TPS Eligibility | USCCB
*Available in Dari & Pashto
Infographic: Family Reunification – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: SIV (Before July 20 2022) – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: Asylum Process – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: Asylum Eligibility – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: Asylum Benefits – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: TPS & Humanitarian Parole – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: TPS Process – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: TPS Eligibility – Dari | USCCB
*Available in Video
Video: Introduction to Parole – Dari | Christopher Chaney, Sharifa Abbasi, USCCB OAW Legal Services
Video: Immigration, Green Cards, and Finding Legal Assistance – Dari | Settle In
Video: Temporary Protected Status for Afghans – Dari | Settle In
Video: Asylum for Afghans – Dari | Settle In
Brochure: Know Your Rights as a Student – Dari | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights as an Employee – Dari | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights With Law Enforcement/FBI – Dari | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights While Traveling – Dari | CAIR
Brochure: What to Do After a Hate Crime/Incident – Dari | CAIR
Flyer: Filing AR-11 – Dari | USCIS
Infographic: Family Reunification – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: SIV (Before July 20 2022) – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: Asylum Process – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: Asylum Eligibility – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: Asylum Benefits – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: TPS & Humanitarian Parole – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: TPS Process – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Infographic: TPS Eligibility – Pashto | USCCB
*Available in Video
Video: Introduction to Parole – Pashto | Christopher Chaney, Faisal Ahmadzai, USCCB OAW Legal Services
Video: Immigration, Green Cards, and Finding Legal Assistance – Pashto | Settle In
Video: Temporary Protected Status for Afghans – Pashto | Settle In
Video: Asylum for Afghans – Pashto | Settle In
Brochure: Know Your Rights As a Student – Pashto | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights As an Employee – Pashto | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights With Law Enforcement/FBI – Pashto | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights While Traveling – Pashto | CAIR
Brochure: Know Your Rights After a Hate Crime/Incident – Pashto | CAIR
Flyer: Filing AR-11 – Pashto | USCIS
LEGAL SCREENING & INTAKE
Screening Form: Immigration Pathway Eligibility | University of Tulsa College of Law Legal Clinic
*SIV, Asylum, Family-based, U-Visa, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile
Screening Form: Bars to Asylum
Screening Form: Special Immigrant Visa Screening Guide for Afghan Parolees | USCCB
Screening Form: SIV Eligibility & Document Verification | VECINA
Intake Form: I-589 Asylum Application – English, Dari | Catholic Community Services of Utah
Intake Form: I-485 Special Immigrant Adjustment of Status Application – English, Dari, Pashto | RAICES
Intake Form: I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status – English, Dari, Pashto | RAICES
Sample: Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement | PARS
Sample: Authorization for Release of Information | University of Tulsa College of Law Legal Clinic
TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS)
Overview: TPS for Afghanistan | USCIS
Overview: TPS Criteria and Registration Process | USCIS
Overview: TPS Designation for Afghanistan | CLINIC
FAQ: Temporary Protected Status for Afghans | CLINIC
FAQ: TPS for Afghans | Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Webinar: TPS for Afghans & the One-Year Asylum Filing Deadline | USCCB, CLINIC
Powerpoint: TPS for Afghans & the One-Year Asylum Filing Deadline | USCCB, CLINIC
ORR Policy Letter 22-11: Immigration-Related Legal Assistance Allowable Under ORR ASA Funding | ORR
*See page 2, footnote 5: ASA and ORR benefits eligibility for ASA-eligible individuals who obtain TPS
Application Checklist: TPS Checklist for Initial Application | CLINIC
Intake Form: I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status – English, Dari, Pashto | RAICES
Instructions: TPS Filing | PARS
*Available in Dari
Template: TPS Cover Letter for Afghans | CLINIC
Template: TPS Cover Letter | PARS
Template: TPS Verification of Benefits Letter | PARS
Checklist: TPS Application Documents & Fees| PARS
*Available in Dari
FAQ: TPS for Afghans – Dari | Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge
Intake Form: I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status – English, Dari, Pashto | RAICES
FAQ: TPS for Afghans – Pashto | Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge
Intake Form: I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status – English, Dari, Pashto | RAICES
ASYLUM
Overview: Asylum | USCIS
FAQ: Asylum for Afghan Parolees | USCIS
Info Sheet: Asylum Basics for Afghan Nationals | Penn State Law, CIRC, PARS, Khanbabai Immigration Law
Info Sheet: Afghan Asylum Process* | IJC
PowerPoint: Asylum 101 for Afghan Parolees | ABA, HIAS
PowerPoint: Asylum Law | HRF
Video: Asylum Process | US Department of State
Practice Advisory: Asylum for Afghan Evacuees (+ Other Immigration Pathways) | CLINIC
E-Course: Representing Afghan Nationals in Affirmative Asylum | VECINA
Course curriculum includes: Overview of Asylum Law, Communicating with Your Client, Framing Specifics Types of Asylum Cases, Bars to Asylum, Preparing and Filing your Case, Preparing for the Interview, Templates and other Resources
Overview & Training: Asylum | IJC
Overview: Asylum Law | HRF
Flowchart: Asylum | HRF
Video: Asylum Law Training | HRF
Toolkit: Afghan Asylum Pro Se | ABA, HIAS
Manual: Asylum Pro Se | UNHCR
Reading List: Recommended Asylum Law Manuals | HRF
Manual: Asylum Officer Training | USCIS
Manual: Lesson Plan for Asylum Officers – One-Year Asylum Filing Deadline | USCIS
Checklist: Asylum Application Documents | VECINA
Sample: Affidavit for Missing Documents in Immigration Application (General) | LIRS
Sample: Asylum Intake Form – English, Dari | Catholic Community Services of Utah
Sample: I-589 Form (March 2022) | HRF
Sample: Applicant Declaration | IJC, VECINA
Sample: Afghan Asylum Interview Questions & Presentation from Former Asylum Officer | VECINA
Sample: Afghan Asylum Interview Questions – English, Dari | Catholic Community Services of Utah
Sample: Document Index – Fulbright, Tajik | Cornell Law School
Sample: Legal Brief – Fulbright, Tajik | Cornell Law School
Sample: Legal Brief – Fulbright, Women’s Rights | Cornell Law School
Sample: Legal Memo – Fulbright, Hazara | Cornell Law School
Sample: Legal Memo – Fulbright, Tajik | Cornell Law School
Sample: Legal Memo – Fulbright, Tajik, Female | Cornell Law School
Sample: Legal Memo – Musician | Cornell Law School
Sample: Sworn Declaration of Support – Fulbright, Tajik | Cornell Law School
Sample: Psychological Evaluation Affidavit (Redacted) | Cornell Law School
FAQ: Asylum-Related Frequently Asked Questions | USCIS
Info Sheet: Asylum One-Year Filing Deadline Exception | LIRS
Info Sheet: Asylum One-Year Filing Deadline Exception | Jewish Family & Community Services – East Bay, Centro Legal de la Raza, PARS, Spojmie Nasiri PC
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Webinar: TPS for Afghans & the One-Year Asylum Filing Deadline | USCCB, CLINIC
Powerpoint: TPS for Afghans & the One-Year Asylum Filing Deadline | USCCB, CLINIC
Infographic: When Afghan Parolees Need to Apply for Asylum | HIAS, Washington College of Law
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Checklist: Asylum Interview Preparation | USCIS
Guide: Asylum Interview Preparation | PALA
*Available in Dari and Pashto
Webinar: Anatomy of Asylum Interview | ABA, HIAS
Sample: Afghan Asylum Interview Verbatim Questions & Insights from Former Asylum Officer | VECINA
Sample: Afghan Asylum Interview Questions (English, Dari) | Catholic Community Services of Utah
Sample: Afghan Asylum Interview Questions
Sample: Asylum Interview Questions – LGBT
Quick Guide: Asylum Interview Coordination | USCCB
Observational Report: Afghan Asylum Interview Take-Aways | Cornell Law School
Guide: Post-Asylum | HIAS
FAQ: Asylum – Dari | USCIS
Info Sheet: Asylum One-Year Filing Deadline Exception – Dari | Jewish Family & Community Services – East Bay, Centro Legal de la Raza, PARS, Spojmie Nasiri PC
Overview: Asylum Basics for Afghan Nationals – Dari| PARS, Khanbabai Immigration Law
Video: Asylum Process – Dari | US Department of State
Sample: Asylum Intake – English, Dari | Catholic Community Services of Utah
Sample: Asylum Interview Questions – English, Dari | Catholic Community Services of Utah
Sample: I-589 Form – Dari | PARS
Instructions: I-589 Form – Dari | PARS
Toolkit: Afghan Asylum Pro Se – Dari | ABA, HIAS
Guide: Asylum Interview Preparation – Dari | PALA
Infographic: When Afghan Parolees Need to Apply for Asylum – Dari | HIAS, Washington College of Law
FAQ: Asylum – Pashto | USCIS
Info Sheet: Asylum One-Year Filing Deadline Exception – Pashto | Jewish Family & Community Services – East Bay, Centro Legal de la Raza, PARS, Spojmie Nasiri PC
Overview: Asylum Basics for Afghan Nationals – Pashto | PARS, Khanbabai Immigration Law
Video: Asylum Process – Pashto | US Department of State
Instructions: I-589 Form – Pashto | AILA
Sample: I-589 Form – Pashto | PARS
Toolkit: Afghan Asylum Pro Se – Pashto | ABA, HIAS
Guide: Asylum Interview Preparation – Pashto | PALA
Infographic: When Afghan Parolees Need to Apply for Asylum – Pashto | HIAS, Washington College of Law
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA (SIV)
Info Sheet: SIV | AILA
FAQ: SIV | IRAP
Overview: SIV Eligibility | IRAP
Overview: SIV Process | US Department of State
FAQ: Updated SIV Petition Process (beginning July 20 2022) | US Department of State
Practice Advisory: SIV (+ Other Immigration Pathways) | CLINIC
E-Course: SIV | VECINA
Form DS-157: Petition for Special Immigrant Classification for Afghan SIV Applicants – 5/22 | USCIS
*for new applications for Afghan SIVs beginning July 20, 2022
Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status – 7/15/22 | USCIS
Form G-28: Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative – 9/17/18 | USCIS
Form: DS-157 | US Department of State
*for new applications for Afghan SIVs beginning July 20, 2022
Instructions: DS-157 / COM Application | US Embassy, Kabul
*Before July 20, 2022
Guide: If COM Application is Denied | IRAP
Guide: If COM Application is Denied on Qualifying Employment Grounds | IRAP
Screening Tool: Special Immigrant Visa Screening Guide for Afghan Parolees | USCCB
Overview: Age-Out Rules for Afghan SIV Derivative Children | CLINIC
Overview: Protections for Surviving Afghan Relatives Under the SIV Program | CLINIC
FAQ: Eligibility to Adjust if Started with Consular Processing | CLINIC
Sample: Affidavit for Missing Documents in Immigration Application (I-485) | PALA
Sample: Affidavit for Missing Documents in Immigration Application (General) | LIRS
Know Your Rights: Afghan SIV & Parolee Employment Rights | US Department of Justice
FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Overview: Family Reunification for Afghans | Department of State
Manual & Listserv: Refugee & Asylee Family Reunification | CLINIC
WORK AUTHORIZATION
Chart: Work Authorization for Afghans | USCCB
FAQ: Employment Authorization Documents for Afghans | CLINIC
Webinar (Recording): Continuity of Work Authorization for Afghans | USCCB, CLINIC
Webinar (PowerPoint Slides): Continuity of Work Authorization for Afghans | USCCB, CLINIC