Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants (Archive)

Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrants are considered refugees and are not subject to the five-year bar from eligibility for federally funded programs. Afghan and Iraqi translators employed by the U.S. military and their spouses and unmarried children under age 21 are eligible for ”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.

Funding Source.

Status Adjustment.

Verification Requirements.

Other Considerations.

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Funding Source

Federally funded MA.

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Status Adjustment

No adjustment is required for Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants. However, if they adjust to lawful permanent resident status, they retain refugee status for purposes of MA eligibility.

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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 (”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 (”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 (”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 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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