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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2014

VERIFICATION - I-94 CARDS

0010.18.24

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) to the following people when they enter the United States:

● PAROLEES: Parolees are people who normally would not be admitted to enter the United States, but are allowed to enter temporarily for humanitarian, medical, and legal reasons. Parolees are not on a predetermined path to permanent resident status. The I-94 will be stamped “Parolee” and may cite section 2129(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

● REFUGEES: Refugees are people who have permission to enter and live in the United States because they have a well- founded fear of persecution in their home country. They will have an I-94 card stamped "Admitted as a Refugee pursuant to section 207 of the Act." The I-766 will be coded A03.

● PAROLED AS REFUGEES: People who fear persecution are "paroled" into the United States as refugees when the number of refugees allowed to enter has been exceeded. These parolees are given an I-94 with "paroled as a refugee" under 212(d)(5).

● CUBAN/HAITIAN ENTRANTS: These individuals are issued an I-94 that is stamped “Paroled.” The I-94 may also say “Humanitarian”, “Public Interest”, or “Significant Public Benefit” Parolee. The country of citizenship listed on the I-94 will be either Cuba or Haiti. These individuals are not considered parolees for benefit purposes.

● ASYLEES: People already in the United States who satisfy the requirements for refugee status because they fear persecution in their home country can apply for asylum or withholding of deportation. These people do not have refugee status because there is not a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. People granted asylum may have an I- 94 stamped "Asylum status granted pursuant to section 208 of the INA". An asylee may have a written decision from the USCIS or immigration judge in addition to an I-94 or I-766. Asylees with an I-766 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be coded as A05.

● NON-IMMIGRANT PEOPLE: Non-immigrants are non-citizens admitted to the United States temporarily for specific purposes and periods of time. USCIS does NOT issue I-94 cards to all non-immigrants. For example, tourists and students might not receive I-94 cards.

● PEOPLE APPLYING FOR IMMIGRANT STATUS: USCIS does NOT issue I-94 cards to all people applying for immigrant status. Some people are issued a temporary I-551 card.

For all other I-94s, the class code stamped on the front of the card indicates what the person's entrance reason is. Use the class code to help determine the person's entrance reason and which assistance programs the person may be eligible for. See 0010.18.15.03 (Lawful Permanent Resident: USCIS Class Codes), 0010.18.21.03 (Non-Immigrant People: USCIS Class Codes).

If the only verification the person has is an I-94 card that is not endorsed, clarify the person's entrance reason. Either advise the person to obtain clarification by contacting USCIS, or obtain a written release from the client and contact USCIS.

MFIP, DWP: Follow general provisions.

SNAP: U-Visa holders are not considered refugees and are not eligible for federal SNAP. If a U-Visa holder is 50 years or older and meets all other eligibility requirements, he/she may be eligible for state-funded Food Support (MFAP). See 0029.07.03 (State Food Programs).

MSA: Verify immigration status if the client is not receiving SSI.

GA: