The rules for family reunification are changing. If you are a non-citizen family member or a U.S. citizen trying to gain Green Card status for a foreign family member, our Hialeah immigration attorney can help you navigate the process.
New family reunification parole procedures were recently introduced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for eligible individuals from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Columbia. Updates to the family reunification parole process for citizens of Cuba and Haiti are also part of these procedures.
Eligibility Requirements And Process Updates
Eligibility
To be eligible for family reunification under the new procedures, individuals must be the primary beneficiaries of an approved Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) as well as their qualifying immediate family members.
Invitations
The new process will roll out through invitations sent by DHS to individuals whose I-130 forms have already been approved. Once an individual receives an invitation, they can submit an Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support (Form I-134A).
Once this form is confirmed, the next steps include DHS security vetting for the principal beneficiary and their immediate family members. Travel authorization may be granted, where the principal beneficiary and their family members may seek parole at a U.S. port of entry.
DHS began sending out invitations in June of 2023.
Next Steps
If parole is approved, these individuals can remain in the United States while waiting for their immigrant visa. Subsequently, they can apply for Green Card status and, eventually, may seek employment authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whenever the government changes how they handle immigration procedures, our office receives many questions. Our Hialeah immigration attorney is happy to answer your questions and provide the best legal counsel available. Here are the most common inquiries regarding the new family immigration policies.
Which Family Members Of The Principal Beneficiary Can Apply For Family Reunification?
This program only applies to spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the primary beneficiary. Eligibility for family reunification is narrower than eligibility for Green Card status because a Green Card application is directly tied to an individual’s relationship with a U.S. citizen. Individuals can apply for Green Card status if they are:
- An immediate relative of a U.S. citizen
- Another relative of a U.S. citizen according to family-based categories
- Fiance(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiance(e)’s child
- Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
- And others
Are Invitations Guaranteed for All Petitioners Who Have Qualifying Relatives Residing Outside The United States?
No. Invitations will only be sent for petitions currently with the Department of State’s National Visa Center, under the condition that a visa has yet to be issued to the beneficiary but is anticipated to become available soon.
How Can You Prepare For The Family Reunification Parole Processes?
Before receiving your invitation, you can ensure that the State Department’s National Visa Center has your correct contact information. You can use the Public Inquiry For The National Visa Center form if your data needs to be updated. Having the correct contact information in the system will help expedite the process and ensure that any communication gets to you efficiently.
Our Hialeah Immigration Attorney Can Help
It is our mission at Casais & Prias to stay up-to-date and well-informed about changing laws and policies regarding immigration. Family reunification procedures can be complex, so having a skilled immigration attorney working with you can help. Contact us today to discuss your case.
