Our office recently assisted a client with obtaining a parole into the United States for a period of three (3) weeks so that he could attend a civil trial in a state court. Our client, who is inadmissible to the U.S. for a previous period of unlawful presence, needed to be physically present in the U.S. because he had been called as a witness to testify on behalf of the plaintiff in the lawsuit.
In addition to his trial testimony, which could last one week or more, our client needed to be present in the U.S. in order to prepare for testimony with the plaintiff’s attorney.
On behalf of our client, our office prepared a comprehensive parole request, which included a written submission together with detailed supporting documents, including the state court scheduling orders as evidence of the trial dates as well as a letter from the plaintiff’s attorney indicating that our client would be called as a witness, explaining the need to prepare for testimony, and confirming the dates on which our client’s presence was required in the U.S.
We also submitted documentary evidence of our client’s ties to Canada, including family, financial and property ties, so as to assure the government that our client will return to Canada upon the expiration of his parole period.
Our request was submitted directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officials at our local port of entry. We then met our client in Canada and accompanied him across the border to the port of entry where he was questioned by CBP officers and then paroled into the U.S. for the three (3) week period. He was issued a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, indicating that he was granted parole for the three (3) week period, which he will have to turn in upon his departure from the U.S. The return of this Form I-94 will notify CBP officials that he has complied with the terms of his parole.