The Refugee Health Program

People who enter a foreign country to escape danger or persecution. A refugee is any person who is outside the country of such person’s nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside the country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.

Asylees are individuals who, on their own, travel to the United States and subsequently apply for/receive a grant of asylum. Asylees do not enter the United States as refugees. They may enter as students, tourists, businessmen, or even in undocumented status. Once in the U.S., or at a land border or port of entry, they apply to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for asylum.

Certain Iraqis and Afghans admitted to the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security. For their service to the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan, certain Iraqis and Afghans are granted Special Immigrant (SIV) status overseas by the U.S. Department of State and are admitted to the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security.

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees

Certain Ukrainian individuals, or non-Ukrainian individuals who last habitually resided in Ukraine, who are also referred to as Ukrainians within this fact sheet, have been or will be granted humanitarian parole by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Ukrainian individuals paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024, are eligible to apply for main­stream benefits, resettlement assis­tance, and other benefits available to refugees (with the exception of the initial resettlement program customarily referred to as Department of State’s Reception and Placement program), until the end of their parole term, or through a new period of parole if applicable. These individuals’ spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21 who are paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023, are also eligible to apply for these benefits.

Afghan Humanitarian Parolees

Certain Afghan individuals have been or will be granted humanitarian parole by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in response to their need for rapid evacuation and relocation under Operation Allies Refuge/Operation Allies Welcome. Afghan humanitarian parolees paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, through September 30, 2023, are eligible to apply for mainstream benefits, resettlement assistance, and other benefits available to refugees, until March 31, 2023, or the end of their parole term, whichever is later. Spouses or children of these individuals paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023, are also eligible to apply for these benefits. Humanitarian parole authorizes only temporary residence in the United States, but Afghans with humanitarian parole may be eligible to apply for asylum (a permanent status) as well as Temporary Protected Status, which may authorize their residence in the United States beyond the expiration date of parole.

Children under age 18 forced to perform a sex act; adults pressured by force, fraud, or coercion to perform a sex act. Children or adults forced into unpaid labor. A person recruited, harbored, transported or retained for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years. Also, a person recruited, harbored, transported or retained for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.

Cuban and Haitian entrants are defined as: A. Any individual granted parole status by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant (Status Pending) or granted any other special status subsequently established under the immigration laws for nationals of Cuba or Haiti, regardless of the status of the individual at the time assistance or services are provided, and B. Any other national of Cuba or Haiti 1. Who:(i) was paroled into the United States and has not acquired any other status under the INA;(ii) is the subject of exclusion or deportation proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); or (iii) has an application for asylum pending with DHS; and 2. With respect to whom a final, non-appealable, and legally enforceable order of deportation or exclusion has not been entered [45 CFR § 401.2]. Cuban and Haitian Entrants, along with Cubans in certain other categories, are eligible to apply for adjustment of status after one year in the U.S