Who is responsible for making the decision regarding the parole of an alien?

The responsibility for making the decision regarding the parole of an alien falls primarily under the jurisdiction of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry. Parole allows individuals to enter the United States for a temporary period under specific circumstances, usually for humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.

CBP officials at ports of entry have the authority to grant parole when certain criteria are met, especially in situations involving urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public interest. This decision is often made on the spot while assessing the individual’s situation and the merits of their request for parole during processing at the border.

The other entities mentioned have distinct roles in immigration processes. For instance, USCIS, while integral to immigration benefits and statuses, does not handle parole requests as a routine function at that level. ICE focuses more on enforcement and removal, while the Department of State oversees visa issuance and related processes outside the U.S. Therefore, it is at the CBP level at the port of entry where these decisions regarding parole are effectively made.