Parole

Looking for information about work permits? Visit our Work Permit page here!

WHAT IS PAROLE?

Parole, often referred to as “humanitarian parole,” is a temporary status given to people to enter the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) grants parole to individuals “based on urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.” You can find information on specific parole programs here.

When granted parole, there is a specific period of time that you qualify for certain benefits, such as work permits. Once your parole expires, the benefit is no longer available. If you are granted parole, especially at the border, it is important to apply for a work permit as soon as possible. It is also important to figure out next steps for after your parole expires. Please see the document below for parole programs specific to parolees from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua.

CAN I APPLY FOR ASYLUM AND WORK PERMITS ONLINE?

Yes! You can apply for asylum and work permits online through USCIS. Please see our video on how to apply for asylum online for more information.

STATUS NOTE: If you were paroled at the border and are applying for asylum online, you will list your 'Status' as "DT - PAROLEE, DISTRICT/POE AUTHORIZED."

Parole Programs for Venezuelans, Cubans,

Haitians, and Nicaraguans

as of March 2023

Prepared by Attorney Zachary Sanders

NOTE: Please read ALL of the information in this document carefully. There are many limitations to how this program works and who can apply.

NEW PAROLE PROGRAMS

  • Provides permission to live and work in the U.S. for two years.

  • Basis for obtaining employment authorization.

  • Not a direct path to permanent residency.

  • One is not required to have an attorney, but one can (and should) retain a lawyer.

PAROLE PROGRAMS ARE ONLY FOR THOSE WHO REQUEST ADVANCE PERMISSION TO TRAVEL TO THE U.S. BY PLANE - NOT FOR THOSE WHO PRESENT THEMSELVES AT THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER.

PAROLE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Have a financial sponsor in the U.S. (see below)

  • Submit to and pass a robust security investigation and background check.

  • Merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

FINANCIAL SPONSORS

  • Financial sponsors must:

  • Have lawful immigration status in the U.S.

  • Have sufficient economic resources to help the immigrant with their basic needs (housing, food, transportation, etc)

  • Complete Form I-134A application with USCIS and submit evidence to ensure that they can support the beneficiary economically

  • Evidence may include: tax returns, proof of income and employment.

  • The financial sponsor can also be an organization.

  • Examples of financial sponsors:

  • Citizens or nationals of the U.S.

  • Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S. (LPRs)

  • Non-immigrants in lawful status

  • Asylees, refugees and parolees

  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and

  • Beneficiaries of Deferred (DED)

  • In sum, the person must be legally present in the U.S. and have legal permission to work.

BENEFICIARIES

  • Beneficiaries must be:

  • Nationals of Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba or Nicaragua (or an immediate family member*) who are:

  • Located outside the U.S.  

  • Will be considered for 2 year period of parole

People who already reside in the U.S. are not eligible.

*  Immediate family members eligible include:

  • The spouse or legal companion of a national of Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti or Nicaragua AND

  • Their minor unmarried children under age 21

  • NOTE: If the child is under age 18, they must travel with a parent or legal guardian.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BENEFICIARIES

  • National of Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti or Nicaragua

  • Have a valid passport

  • Be located outside the U.S.

  • Have a U.S. based financial sponsor  

  • Pay for their flight to the U.S.

PASSPORT NOTES

  • Automatically Extended Passports

  • The beneficiary must have a valid and current passport. Certified passport extensions meet this requirement.  

  • Pursuant to Venezuelan Decree 21 of 2019, certain expired Venezuelan passports continue to be valid.

  • Venezuelan passport:

  • Issued before June 7, 2019 (including those that expired prior to this date), without an extension (prórroga) of the passport, are considered valid for five years after the expiration date imprinted on the passport.

  • Issued after June 7, 2019 without an extension are not considered valid past the date of expiration in the passport.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • One cannot be a permanent resident nor have double nationality with any other country besides Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti or Nicaragua.

  • One cannot have refugee status in any other country.

  • NOTE: This requirement does not apply to immediate family members.

  • No deportation orders from the U.S. in the last five years.

  • Have not entered the U.S. in an irregular manner between ports of entry since October 19, 2022.

  • Have not crossed the borders of Mexico or Panama illegally since October 19, 2022.

  • Comply with vaccination and public health requirements.

STEPS OF THE PAROLE PROCESS

  1. Economic Support

  • The U.S. based financial sponsor must submit the I-134A
    with information about themselves and the beneficiary.  
    A separate I-134A must be submitted for each beneficiary.
    USCIS will investigate the financial sponsor to ensure that they can support the beneficiary economically. Financial sponsors will be investigated by USCIS, at the discretion of the agency.

  1. Send Biographic Information

  • If USCIS confirms the financial sponsor, the named beneficiary will receive an e-mail message from USCIS.

  • The beneficiary must confirm her/his biographic information in their  myUSCIS account and certify that they meet all of the eligibility requirements. They must also confirm that they meet all of the public health requirements, including having received the COVID vaccine.

  1. Obtaining Permission to be Paroled into the U.S. at a Port of Entry

  • When a beneficiary arrives at a port of entry, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will inspect them and determine whether to allow them to enter the U.S.  The official at the airport always has discretion and power to determine who can enter the U.S.

  • NOTE: If immigration approves the travel authorization, it will be valid for 90 days.

PROGRAM LIMITATIONS

  • Limit of 30,000 individuals per month allowed in the parole program.

  • Those who attempt to enter the U.S. at the Mexican border without permission will be deported to Mexico without the opportunity to seek asylum.

  • Those who attempt to enter the U.S. at the Mexican border without authorization cannot apply for asylum.

  • The most vulnerable who do not have a U.S. based financial sponsor and/or cannot travel by plane are not afforded any protection.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU’VE ENTERED THE U.S.

  • Once an applicant is paroled (enters) into the U.S., he or she may pursue any immigration options they may be eligible for, including asylum for example.