New Parole Program for Venezuelans
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting applications providing quick and safe entry into the United States for Venezuelans and their immediate family members.
Modeled after a similar program for Ukrainians (U4U), the program allows almost any person in the US to sponsor and bring into the US any Venezuelan national within a very short period of time. The supporters (aka sponsors) can be US citizens, Permanent Residents, Asylees, non-immigrants in lawful status (e.g. H-1B, TPS, F1, etc.), or DACA recipients.
The process is simple and straight-forward. It requires the supporter to file an application online for each beneficiary. Based on the experience with Ukrainian program, it should take 2-3 weeks until the beneficiaries will receive an email with a parole authorization, which they can print and use as a valid entry document into the United States. The main benefit is that the beneficiaries can use the same document to board a plane and arrive in the US just as they would do if they had a visa. The airlines have been informed and will allow the beneficiaries to board flights.
This provides a quick, safe and orderly way for nationals of Venezuela who are outside the USA and lack US entry documents to be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for advance authorization to travel and a temporary period of parole for up to 2 years for urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit.
To participate in this process, Venezuelan nationals must:
Have a supporter in the United States;
Undergo and clear robust security vetting (this takes place in the background);
Meet other eligibility criteria; and
Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.
Individuals participating in the process must have a supporter in the USA who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their parole in the USA. The first step in the process is for the US-based supporter to file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with USCIS for each Venezuelan national or immediate family member they seek to support, including minor children. The US government will then vet the supporter to ensure that they are able to financially support the Venezuelan nationals they are agreeing to support.
Details on https://www.uscis.gov/venezuela
If you have any questions, you can contact us to schedule a consultation with our immigration attorneys: https://www.islawfirm.com/consultation-frequently-asked…/