On January 5, 2023, President Biden announced that the U.S. government is expanding a parole program currently used for Venezuelans. Under the new program, the U.S. government will accept up to 30,000 individuals per month from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. At the same time, the U.S. government will immediately begin sending to Mexico up to 30,000 individuals per month from these countries who are attempting to enter the U.S. without a visa.
Similar to the current program for Venezuelans, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has created a system for individuals from these countries to apply for parole if they have a financial sponsor in the U.S. and pass background checks. Any individual who attempts to enter the U.S. without a visa is not eligible for parole under this program. Also, any individual who is a citizen or permanent resident or who holds refugee status in another country is ineligible for the parole program.
The parole program is an attempt to reduce the number of individuals from these countries coming to the U.S. border. Due to growing economic and political problems in these countries, there has been a large increase in border crossings from these countries.
WHAT THIS MEANS
- Returned to Mexico – Starting immediately, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will begin returning people from these four countries to Mexico. Under an agreement with the Mexican government, Mexico will accept up to 30,000 individuals per month from these countries. Based on current data, more than 30,000 individuals per month are attempting to cross into the U.S. from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. That means that some individuals from these countries likely will be allowed in the U.S. instead of returning to Mexico after the 30,000 caps is met.
- U.S. Sponsors – On January 6, 2023, the DHS began accepting applications for individuals in the U.S. to sponsor individuals from these countries. These online applications can be filed here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-134a. Individuals in the U.S. do not need to be family members or have permanent resident status or citizenship to act as a sponsor. Many individuals in the U.S. with non-permanent statuses like TPS or parole may qualify as a sponsor also. There is not a specific amount required to be a sponsor. However, USCIS expects sponsors to be responsible for: 1) Receiving the beneficiary upon arrival in the United States and transporting them to initial housing; 2) Ensuring that the beneficiary has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole and initial basic necessities; 3) As appropriate, helping the beneficiary complete necessary paperwork such as for employment authorization, for a Social Security card, and for services for which they may be eligible; 4) Ensuring that the beneficiary’s health care and medical needs are met for the duration of the parole; and 5) As appropriate, assisting the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment, and enrolling children in school. If family members are coming with the main beneficiary, each family member must have an approved sponsor. It can be the same sponsor if they are able to support additional family members.
- Applying for parole – if the sponsor is approved, the beneficiary(ies) will then receive instructions on how to apply through a Customs and Border Protection mobile application called CBP One. Beneficiaries will need to include their information and a photograph. If they pass background checks, beneficiaries will receive an advance parole document electronically. This document will allow them to travel to the U.S. within 90 days. Approved beneficiaries are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to the U.S. Once in the U.S. their parole will be valid for two (2) years, and they can apply for other forms of relief they may be eligible for, including asylum or adjustment of status.
- Unlawful entry – Any individual from these countries who is apprehended at the border attempting to cross unlawfully between ports of entry will not be eligible for the parole program. This includes any Venezuelan who attempts to cross unlawfully after October 19, 2022 or any Cuban, Haitian, or Nicaraguan who attempts to cross unlawfully after January 9, 2023. However, individuals who cross unlawfully after these dates may voluntarily depart and remain eligible for the program.