Seeking humanitarian parole to reunite with your loved ones can be an emotionally draining and legally complicated. The requirements for establishing urgent humanitarian reasons can seem like a huge hurdle when you're already dealing with the heartache of family separation. In these difficult times, you don't have to go it alone.
While we work on the legal issues, you can focus your energy on more important matters —preparing for your long-awaited reunion in the United States. You can take heart knowing we'll move mountains to bring your loved ones home.
Special Humanitarian Programs: CHNV Parole
Parole for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela
If you're among the many families or friends separated by the immigration system, the CHNV (Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan) Parole program offers a potential lifeline.
To be eligible, beneficiaries must be nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela, or their immediate family members of any nationality. They must be outside the United States and have a U.S.-based supporter willing to file Form I-134A on their behalf. Beneficiaries also must undergo security vetting, have a passport valid for international travel, and demonstrate urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit to warrant parole.
Supporters play a crucial role in the process. They must have lawful status in the U.S., such as citizens, green card holders, asylees, TPS holders, or parolees. Supporters also need to pass security vetting and show sufficient financial resources to receive and support the beneficiary.
The process involves several steps. First, the U.S. supporter files Form I-134A for each beneficiary. If the Form I-134A is confirmed, the beneficiary receives instructions to request advance travel authorization. The beneficiary then requests this authorization and undergoes a background check. If approved, the beneficiary can travel to a U.S. by air, where CBP inspects and considers parole for up to 2 years.
While it may seem straightforward, these parole requests require careful documentation to convey your situation fully. There are also particular restrictions regarding traveling with children under 18 and multiple parolees in a travel group. Having an experienced immigration lawyer prepare and submit your CHNV packet can make a big difference. We know exactly what type of information USCIS wants to see to approve these time-sensitive requests.
Special Humanitarian Programs: Haitian and Cuban Family Reunification
Parole for Cuban or Haitian Family Members of U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security updated the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) and Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) programs in 2023 to allow certain eligible Cuban and Haitian nationals to reunite with family members already living in the United States.
These programs provide a lawful pathway for Cuban and Haitian beneficiaries outside the U.S. to seek parole to temporarily come to the U.S., as long as they have an approved petition filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member.
The process begins when the State Department's National Visa Center invites the petitioning family member to initiate the parole process.
The petitioner then files Form I-134A online to be a financial supporter for the Cuban or Haitian beneficiary and any derivative spouse/children. After clearing background vetting, beneficiaries may be authorized to travel to a U.S. by air to be considered for parole for up to two years. It's likely that the U.S. government will extend this parole while the beneficiary's family petition is pending, allowing them to wait for the approval of their green card while in the United States.
Special Humanitarian Programs: Family Reunification for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras
Parole for Colombian, El Salvadorian, Guatemalan, and Honduran Family Members of U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents
Like the Cuban and Haitian programs, the U.S. government has created new Family Reunification Parole (FRP) processes to allow certain nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia to be temporarily paroled into the United States to reunite with family members, on a case-by-case basis.
These processes provide a lawful pathway for nationals of those countries who are beneficiaries of an approved Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative filed by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative.
Eligible beneficiaries must be outside the U.S., pass all screening and vetting requirements, and not have already received an immigrant visa. If approved through the FRP process, they may be paroled for up to three years while they apply for lawful permanent residence based on their approved I-130 petition.
The processes facilitate orderly entry by requiring the U.S. petitioner to be invited to file a request for the beneficiary's advance travel authorization. Paroled individuals are eligible to apply for work authorization.
These new processes, along with modernized processes for Cuban and Haitian nationals, aim to promote family unity and ultimately allow qualified family members to reunite in the U.S. more quickly.
Special Humanitarian Programs: Uniting for Ukraine
Parole for Citizens of Ukraine
The Uniting for Ukraine program allows Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members to temporarily come to the United States for a two-year period.
To be eligible, Ukrainians must have resided in Ukraine prior to the Russian invasion, possess a valid Ukrainian passport, have a supporter in the United States file an I-134A form on their behalf, and pass security checks. The U.S.-based supporter, who can be a citizen, permanent resident, or certain other statuses, must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to receive and support the Ukrainian beneficiary during their stay.
The process begins with the supporter filing Form I-134A online with USCIS. If approved, the beneficiary will be instructed on next steps to apply online, including providing biographic details and attesting to vaccine requirements. Once authorized, they have 90 days to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request parole. If paroled, they are eligible to apply for work authorization in the United States.
General Humanitarian Parole
Parole for Urgent Humanitarian Reasons
In addition to these special humanitarian programs, the U.S. government also maintains a general humanitarian parole option for nationals of any country that are residing outside the United States.
This broad humanitarian parole allows individuals who are outside the United States to temporarily come to the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons or reasons providing a significant public benefit. For example, this could include coming for critical medical treatment, assisting a family member who is critically ill or at the end of life, or participating in legal proceedings.
To request humanitarian parole, a petitioner must file Form I-131 along with evidence demonstrating the urgent need and any supporting documents. You'll also need a sponsor who completes Form I-134 showing they can financially support you during your parole stay.
USCIS evaluates humanitarian parole requests on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like the circumstances, intent to depart the U.S. after parole, criminal history, and means to obtain lawful immigration status. The parole process involves submitting forms, security checks, potential interviews, and if approved, obtaining travel documents from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Humanitarian parole is temporary and does not provide permanent immigration status.
We're There For You
Just a Phone Call Away
The humanitarian parole process can seem daunting, but you don't have to go through it alone.
We'll be your advocate every step of the way, making sure your application is complete, your evidence clearly demonstrates your urgent situation, and we'll prepare you for any interviews. If any issues arise, we'll communicate directly with USCIS on your behalf. Having an expert guide can provide peace of mind during this complicated process focused on getting you to the U.S. quickly
