What must an alien demonstrate to be eligible for parole according to INA § 212(d)(5)(A)?

To be eligible for parole under INA § 212(d)(5)(A), an alien must demonstrate that they are an applicant for admission. This provision allows the Attorney General to grant parole to individuals who are not formally admitted to the U.S. but require entry for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

This status of being an applicant for admission is critical because it indicates that the individual is seeking entry into the U.S. but has not yet gone through the formal admission process, enabling them to be considered for parole status while their case is being assessed or while they await further action.

The other options refer to different immigration statuses or categorizations, but they do not directly pertain to the requirements for being granted parole. For instance, being a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or a visa holder relates to immigration status that grants rights or privileges but does not specifically establish eligibility for parole, which focuses on those currently seeking entry rather than those already within the U.S. system.