DHS Announces Modernization of Cuban and Haitian Family Reunification Parole

We start the week with great news for Cuban and Haitian nationals.

On August 10, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced new publications in the Federal Register introducing changes to the Cuban and Haitian Family Reunification Parole processes.

The FRP program allows eligible Cuban and Haitian nationals to seek parole into the United States for the purpose of reuniting with their family members while they wait for their immigrant visas to become available to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.

What’s changed?

The Secretary of Homeland Security has implemented new changes to the program. Effective August 11, 2023, the application process will occur largely online with the exception of the medical examination component which must be completed by a panel physician, and the in-person parole determination which is made upon the foreign national’s arrival at a U.S. port of entry (POE).

Eligible beneficiaries must be outside the United States and are no longer required to be physically present in Cuba or Haiti. The application process will continue to occur on an invitation-only case by case basis and applicants will be subject to background and security checks.

Procedure

The Family Reunification Parole procedure will begin with the Department of State’s National Visa Center issuing an invitation to the petitioning U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member whose Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed on behalf of a Cuban or Haitian beneficiary, has been approved.

The petitioner can then initiate the Family Reunification Parole process by filing Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, on behalf of the principal beneficiary and any derivative beneficiary spouse and children to be considered for advance travel authorization and parole to the United States.

With respect to Cuban Family Reunification Parole petitioners, USCIS will send a letter to those with a pending Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, filed for a principal beneficiary awaiting an interview in Havana.

For Haitian nationals, the process will be opened to all Haitian approved principal beneficiaries, regardless of when USCIS approved the Form I-130. This is a major victory because previously, eligibility was limited to petitions with approvals issued on or before December 18, 2014.

Conclusion

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said that the modernization of the Cuban and Haitian Family Reunification Parole process will encourage lawful migration to the United States while “preventing migrants from putting their lives in the hands of smugglers.” This approach will also create a lawful pathway for eligible Cuban and Haitian nationals to reunite with their family members while processing their green cards in the United States.

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