Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants (Archive)

Afghan and Iraqi translators employed by the U.S. military and their spouses and unmarried children under age 21 are eligible for ”r;special immigrant” status. Afghans or Iraqis who were paroled into the U.S. or entered the U.S. in some other status may apply for and be granted special immigrant status. Some may be granted this status prior to entering the U.S.

Their primary immigration status is lawful permanent resident (LPR). However, due to their special immigrant status, they may be eligible for MA with FFP or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for six months, if Afghan, or eight months, if Iraqi, following their date of entry into the U.S. Thereafter, their eligibility is determined like all other LPRs.

Due to the special eligibility and related system coding considerations for this population, follow your agency's procedures to contact HealthQuest for specific guidance on these cases.

Funding Source.

Status Adjustment.

Verification Requirements.

Other Considerations.

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Funding Source

Following the initial six- or eight-month period during which these LPRs may be eligible for FFP, their funding is subject to the date of entry and length of residence requirements as described in Federally or State-Funded Health Care. Because their date of entry is after August 22, 1996, their health care will then be state-funded until they have resided in the U.S. for five years.

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Status Adjustment

No adjustment is required for Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants because they already have LPR status.

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Verification Requirements

The following may be used to verify Afghan/Iraqi special immigrant status, as applicable:

l  Principal Applicant Afghan/Iraqi Special Immigrant - Afghan/Iraqi passport with an immigrant visa stamp noting that the individual has been admitted under IV (Immigrant Visa) Category SI1 or SQ1 and Department of Homeland Security stamp or notation on passport or I-94 showing date of entry.

l  Spouse of Principal Applicant Afghan/Iraqi Special Immigrant - Afghan/Iraqi passport with an immigrant visa stamp noting that the individual has been admitted under IV (Immigrant Visa) Category SI2 or SQ2 and Department of Homeland Security stamp or notation on passport or I-94 showing date of entry.

l  Unmarried child under age 21 of Principal Applicant Afghan/Iraqi Special Immigrant - Afghan/Iraqi passport with an immigrant visa stamp noting that the individual has been admitted under IV (Immigrant Visa) Category SI3 or SQ3 and Department of Homeland Security stamp or notation on passport or I-94 showing date of entry.

l  Principal Applicant Afghan/Iraqi Special Immigrant adjusting status in the U.S. - Form I-551 (”r;green card”) showing Afghan/Iraqi nationality or Afghan/Iraqi passport with an IV (immigrant visa) code SI6 or SQ6.

l  Spouse of Principal Applicant Afghan/Iraqi Special Immigrant in P6 Category - Form I-551 (”r;green card”) showing Afghan/Iraqi nationality or Afghan/Iraqi passport with an IV (immigrant visa) code SI7 or SQ7.

l  Unmarried child under age 21 of Afghan/Iraqi Special Immigrant in P6 Category - Form I-551 (”r;green card”) showing Afghan/Iraqi nationality or Afghan/Iraqi passport with an IV (immigrant visa) code SI9 or SQ9.

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Other Considerations

If these noncitizens are not eligible for federally funded Medical Assistance (MA), consider Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) during the six or eight months of eligibility for federal funding.

If they are not eligible for either of these programs, consider Emergency Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, state-funded MA (NMED), or General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), based on what is most beneficial for the client.

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