Parole is a status applied to certain non-citizens that allows them to remain in the country for specific reasons. This parole status is usually temporary and at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), using the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Individuals granted parole are allowed to enter the United States because the DHS has determined that there is an urgent humanitarian need or the entry of the individual provides a significant benefit to the public. They can then enter the United States without a visa. It is expected that after the parole period ends, that they promptly leave the country and return to their own country. Parole is not the same as applying for immigration because these individuals are not being considered for citizenship.

Incarceration Parole Status

The parole system also exists for prisoners. In this case, prisoners who are granted parole are allowed to leave prison and serve the rest of their sentence under supervision. It can be considered a type of conditional freedom. If the inmate fails to follow rules and requirements, they will lose their parole status and be sent back to prison. Different states have laws that determine which prisoners are eligible for parole. They may consider the nature of their conviction, their performance in prison, whether they are deemed a danger to society, and whether the judge thinks they can be rehabilitated. Usually criminals who are serving long sentences for serious convictions are not granted parole. Crimes can be categorized into felonies, misdemeanors and infractions. Infractions are usually petty crimes such as speedy tickets that are charged fines, and usually do not require hearings or jail time. Misdemeanors can result in serving time of up to a year in a jail, and examples include assault or vandalism. Felonies are the most serious and include bank fraud, murder, and arson. While individuals serving time for misdemeanors can request hearing for parole, felons are often not granted parole.

Immigration Parole

Immigration parole is granted to individuals for humanitarian reasons or for benefit to the public. The U.S. government may determine that an individual would be in a great degree of harm and suffering if not granted entry to the United States. Many refugees are granted entry to the United States through parole, even though they are not being considered for citizenship. Another example of a humanitarian reason to grant parole is if an individual requires life-saving medical treatment that can only be available in the United States. Someone who needs to visit or help a family member who is dying of a terminal illness may also be granted urgent parole based on humanitarian reasons. An individual who may provide a significant benefit to the public can also be granted immigration parole. Each case is different. One example are entrepreneurs who are granted parole because they can invest in American businesses and therefore provide a significant benefit to the U.S. economy.

Finding Parole Status Online

Sometimes it is necessary to find out someone's parole status. Not everyone is willing to disclose their parole status, such as in the case of a prison inmate applying for a job. It is possible to find parole status online. Every state has an online database that contains profiles of people who are on prison parole. Information may include parole period. The correctional facility that housed the inmate may have its own website with a parole database. It may be necessary to contact the correctional facility and find out how to access the information online. Information on humanitarian or public benefit parole statuses can be found on the USCIS government website.