On August 10, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published Federal Register notices that will update and modernize the Cuban and Haitian family reunification parole (FRP) processes. With this change, the DHS indicates, “petitioners will be able to complete most of the FRP process on a secure online platform, eliminating the burden of travel, time, and paperwork and increasing access to participation. Every step of the updated process will be completed online, with the exception of a medical exam by a panel physician and the parole determination made upon arrival at an interior U.S. port of entry.” The process is still available on an invitation-only basis.
The process begins 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 FRP 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.
USCIS will send a letter to Cuban family reunification parole petitioners who have a pending Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, filed for a principal beneficiary who is waiting for an interview in Havana. For the Haitian petitioners, DHS is making the Haitian family reunification parole process more accessible by opening the process to all Haitian approved principal beneficiaries, regardless of when USCIS approved the Form I-130 (previously, eligibility was limited to those approvals issued on or before December 18, 2014).
For more information about the process, please check the official webpage of USCIS or call us at 216-279-3984.
