In a significant step towards promoting family unity and providing lawful pathways for immigration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the implementation of new Family Reunification Parole (FRP) processes for nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. These processes, introduced as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive immigration measures, aim to reduce irregular migration while ensuring the well-being of families. This blog post will explore the key details of the new FRP processes and their significance for individuals facing immigration matters. Read on and reach out to a seasoned family immigration lawyer from the Lightman Law Firm for assistance with your immigration matters.
An Overview of the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) Processes
The new FRP processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras provide a pathway for nationals from these countries to reunite with their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members in the United States. These processes are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to combine expanded lawful pathways with strengthened enforcement to address irregular migration.
Eligibility and Family Reunification Parole Application Process
To be eligible for consideration under the FRP processes, individuals must have family members who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and have received approval to join their family in the United States. Beneficiaries must be outside the United States, meet all requirements, including screening, vetting, and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.
The FRP processes begin with the Department of State issuing an invitation to the petitioning U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member whose Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of a Colombian, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, or Honduran beneficiary has been approved. The invited petitioner can then initiate the process by filing a request on behalf of the beneficiary and eligible family members to be considered for advance travel authorization and parole.
Parole under the FRP processes is granted on a discretionary, case-by-case basis, and temporary basis. Individuals must demonstrate urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit to be considered for parole. This includes showing that their situation warrants favorable exercise of discretion.
Temporary Parole and Waiting Period
Once granted parole, individuals will generally be considered for parole for up to three years. During this time, they will be eligible to request employment authorization while waiting for their immigrant visa to become available. When their immigrant visa becomes available, they may apply to become lawful permanent residents.
Parole Authority and Previous FRP Programs
The Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole noncitizens into the United States temporarily on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The FRP processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras join a lineage of similar programs. The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, established in 2007, and the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program, established in 2014, are examples of FRP programs that have been administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The introduction of the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras marks a significant milestone in the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating safe, orderly, and lawful pathways for immigration. By promoting family unity and providing temporary parole options, these processes ensure that individuals can reunite with their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members while waiting to apply for lawful permanent residency. The DHS’s implementation of these processes demonstrates their effectiveness in reducing irregular migration while upholding humanitarian values and the rule of law.
