Humanitarian Parole: The Process and Benefits
Have you ever heard of Humanitarian Parole in the United States? It is a program that allows nationals from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to apply to enter the United States in a safe and orderly manner.
The beneficiaries may receive advance authorization to travel and a temporary period of parole for up to two years for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
But there is one key requirement:
Beneficiaries must have a sponsor in the United States who is committed to providing financial support during their stay.
The first step is for the U.S. sponsor to complete and submit Form I-134A, Online Application to Become a Sponsor and Statement of Financial Support.
What is Humanitarian Parole?
Humanitarian Parole is a discretionary measure that allows persons who would otherwise be ineligible to enter the United States to do so due to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. It is not a visa, and its grant is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Who is eligible?
Nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Ukraine, and their immediate family members, may apply for Humanitarian Parole. Eligible beneficiaries who are outside the United States and do not have entry documents may be considered for advanced travel authorization and a temporary period of parole of up to two years for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
How is it applied?
The first step in the process is for a U.S.-based supporter to submit a Form I-134A, Online Application to Become a Supporter and Statement of Financial Support, to USCIS for each beneficiary it seeks to support, including minor children.
The U.S. government will review the supporter information provided on the Form I-134A to ensure that they are able to financially support the beneficiaries they are agreeing to support.
Benefits
Humanitarian Parole allows a person to enter the United States and stay for a specified period of time. It does not lead to permanent legal status, but allows the person to be in the country legally and may be eligible to receive a work permit.
Limitations
Parole is granted for a specific period of time and cannot be extended. Once the parole period has ended, the person must either depart the United States or apply for a change of status if eligible.
Form I-134A
Form I-134A is an online application to become a supporter and statement of financial support. As of January 6, 2023, this form must be filed if you are a prospective supporter of a Ukrainian, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan or Venezuelan or a member of their immediate family as part of the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan and Uniting for Ukraine Processes. The application is free for both the U.S.-based supporter and the beneficiary.
The Form I-134A must be filed online. Access to the processes is free, and neither the supporter nor the beneficiary is required to pay a fee to the U.S. government to file Form I-134A, be considered for travel authorization or parole.
Special instructions
Supporters must be in the United States to file Form I-134A. Beneficiaries cannot file Form I-134A on their own. Supporters must file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary they plan to support, including children under the age of 18.
To be eligible for either of these processes, children under the age of 18 must travel to the United States under the care and legal custody of their parent or legal guardian and be able to provide documentation to confirm the relationship.
Several supporters may join together to support a beneficiary, and organizations, businesses, and other entities may provide some or all of the necessary support to the beneficiary. In such cases, an individual must file and sign Form I-134A and must submit evidence demonstrating the identity and resources to be provided by the additional supporters or entity, and attach a statement explaining the intent to share responsibility for supporting the beneficiary among individuals or an entity's commitment to support the beneficiary. The ability of several individual supporters to support a beneficiary will be evaluated collectively.
Individuals filing in partnership with an organization, business or other entity do not need to submit their personal financial information if the level of support demonstrated by the entity is sufficient to support the beneficiary.
Humanitarian Parole is an important tool that allows individuals to enter the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. It is important to understand the process and requirements for applying for Humanitarian Parole in order to take advantage of this opportunity.
