FAQs – New Parole Program of Biden Administration -English

  • Home / News / FAQs – New…

Frequently Asked Questions on Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) aka CHNV Parole Program (last updated 1/7/23)

  • What is the CHNV Parole Program that started on January 6, 2023?
  • Who is eligible for CHNV Parole Program that started on January 6, 2023?
  • How long does the process under the CHNV Parole Program take?
  • How can I apply for the CHNV Parole Program from Haiti?
  • What should I do if I am already in Mexico at the border?
  • What should I do if I want to sponsor someone from Haiti to come to the US under the CHNV Parole Program?
  • Can I sponsor my minor child to come to the US under the CHNV Parole Program?
  1. What is the CHNV Parole Program that started on January 6, 2023?

(1) A process for Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) to apply to enter the US. 30,000 per month will be approved to enter the US through an airport. This does not apply to land ports of entry at the border.

(2) Beneficiaries will need one or more sponsors, who do not need to be family members, but who have legal status (resident, citizen, TPS holder). The sponsor(s) must meet federal poverty guidelines, show proof of income, and are able to house and feed the beneficiary for two years.

(3) Once granted, beneficiaries will have 90 days to fly to the US at their own expense. Parole status lasts two years. Beneficiaries are able to immediately apply for work authorization upon arrival in the US (Employment Authorization Determinations or EADs).

(4) Timeframe: Program starts 1/6/22. No end date to program. It could take as little as a few weeks to approve the application, but applications will likely be backlogged, so it could take months to be approved. Work authorization could also take several months to be approved.

(5) The sponsor can start the application for the beneficiary at https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV. Its free!

  1. Who is eligible for CHNV Parole Program that started on January 6, 2023?

All Haitians, if: 

(1) they are a Haitian National or an immediate family member of a Haitian National who is outside of the United States. An immediate family member is a husband or wife or common-law partner or unmarried child under 21 years. Note: children under 18 years old must travel to the US with a parent or legal guardian to use this process. 

(2) they haven’t been deported in 5 years (before 1/2018) or subject to a bar to inadmissibility based on a prior removal order. They should be ok if they were expelled under Title 42 if they didn’t see a judge and didn’t get a removal order. 

(3) they haven’t entered the US in between a port of entry or without legal authorization after January 6, 2023, unless they agree to voluntarily leave the US (this is complicated, if this may apply to you, consult a lawyer). 

(4) they did not enter Mexico or Panama without authorization after January 6, 2023. So if they are already in Mexico, they can qualify for the program, but if not, THEY SHOULD STAY WHERE THEY ARE. They should not enter Mexico, Panama or the US if they don’t have authorization such as a visa for that country. If they are otherwise eligible, they can apply for parole from where they are.

(5) they have a sponsor with US legal status (resident, citizen, TPS holder) who has a job and lives above federal poverty guidelines and who can house and feed them for two years. This determination is on a case-by-case basis, but a family of four should earn more than $27,750. For more information, see: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines. The sponsor does not have to be a family member and one can have multiple sponsors (like a father and sibling). 

(6) they have a valid passport. This can be a Haitian passport or, for children born abroad, they can use that country’s passport if they prove they have an immediate family member (mom or dad) who is Haitian. But the passport must be valid.

(7) they and their sponsor(s) can use the USCIS platform in English. https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV The website landing page will be in Kreyol next week, but nothing else. 

  1. How long does this process take?

We do not know for certain, it will depend on the number of applications submitted and the USCIS staff available to process them. Once the application is submitted, it could take a few weeks or a few months. We will update this when we know more.

  1. How can I apply for the CHNV Parole Program from Haiti?

(1) Figure out if you are eligible for the CHNV Parole Program (see information sheet entitled Who is eligible for CHNV Parole Program that starts January 6, 2023?).

(2) If you are in Haiti and eligible, your sponsor can apply for you. You do not need to travel anywhere. 

(3) Find a sponsor in the US with legal status (resident, citizen, TPS holder) who has a job and lives above federal poverty guidelines and who can house and feed you for two years. The sponsor does not have to be a family member and you can have multiple sponsors (like a father and sibling). 

(4) You do not start the application. The sponsor will start the application by filing Form I-134A at https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV. If US immigration approves the sponsor, they will send you information about the next steps in the process. You do not need to do anything until you receive this information. Then you await approval.

  1. What should I do if I am already in Mexico at the border?

(1) If you arrived in Mexico before January 6, 2023, or you arrived in Mexico after January 6, 2023 with legal authorization (such as a visa), you can apply for the program from Mexico. Do not attempt to enter the US between ports of entry or without inspection, or you may be disqualified from this program. Note: If you arrived in Mexico after January 6, 2023 without a visa or inspection from immigration officials in Mexico, you are not eligible to apply for this program from Mexico.

(2) In order to apply, first determine if you are eligible (see information sheet entitled Who is eligible for CHNV Parole Program that starts January 6, 2023?). 

(3) Next, find a sponsor in the US with legal status (resident, citizen, TPS holder) who has a job and lives above federal poverty guidelines and who can house and feed you for two years. The sponsor does not have to be a family member and you can have multiple sponsors (like a father and sibling). 

(4) You do not start the application. The sponsor will start the application by filing Form I-134A at https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV. If US immigration approves the sponsor, they will send you information about the next steps in the process. You do not need to do anything until you receive this in formation. Then you await approval.

(5) If you have family outside of Mexico who want to enter the US with you in Mexico, note that they will not be eligible for the program if they enter Mexico without legal authorization (such as a visa) after January 6, 2023. If they are not already in the Mexico and if they cannot get a Mexican visa, it may be best for them to apply for the program from where they are (see information sheet entitled (How can I apply for the CHNV Parole Program from Haiti?)

  1. What should I do if I want to sponsor someone from Haiti to come to the US under the CHNV Parole Program?

(1) Haitians who want to come to the US under this parole program cannot apply for themselves. They need a sponsor to apply for them.

(2) A sponsor can be a family member of the beneficiary, or a friend, work colleague, pastor, or even an organization, church or business. A beneficiary can have many sponsors, such as three friends or a father and sibling. 

(3) To start the process, go to https://www.uscis.gov/CHNV and fill out the I-134A form.

 (4) The sponsor(s) will be asked for financial information to determine if they have the resources and ability to house, feed, and provide for the beneficiary or beneficiaries. There are no set guidelines for how much income or assets the sponsor must have, but USCIS uses the federal poverty guidelines as guidance https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines

(5) A person can sponsor more than one beneficiary, such as a family, but they must have enough income as determined by USCIS to provide for the beneficiaries.

(6) If USCIS approves the I-134A, they will send the beneficiary information about the next steps in the process. It could take as little as a few weeks to approve the application, but applications will likely be backlogged, so it could take months to be approved. 

(7) Once granted, beneficiaries will have 90 days to fly to the US at their own expense. Parole status lasts two years. Beneficiaries are able to immediately apply for work authorization upon arrival in the US (Employment Authorization Determinations or EADs). Work authorization could also take several months to be approved.

(8) For additional help, Welcome.us has prepared an interactive Sponsorship Training for those to plan to sponsor, an I-134 Guide about how to navigate the application process, and a sign-up form to encourage networks to sponsor a newcomer.

  1. Can I sponsor my minor child to come to the US under the CHNV Parole Program?

(1) A sponsor (such as a parent or legal guardian) can apply for a minor child (under 18 years old) under this program, as long as the child is a Haitian National or has at least one parent who is Haitian and as long as they are otherwise eligible under the program (see information sheet entitled Who is eligible for CHNV Parole Program that starts January 6, 2023?).

(2) Children under 18 years old must travel to the US with a parent or legal guardian to use this program. Unaccompanied children are not eligible for this program. 

(3) A legal guardian may need a court order to prove guardianship. Consult a lawyer if the sponsor or the person accompanying the child to the US is a legal guardian to make sure the legal requirements are satisfied.

(4) If the parent or legal guardian is in Mexico and has a minor child(ren) outside of Mexico who wants to enter the US with them through this program, they will not be eligible for the program if they enter Mexico without legal authorization (such as a visa) after January 6, 2023. If they are not already in Mexico and if they cannot get a Mexican visa, it may be best for them to apply for the program from where they are (see information sheet entitled How can I apply for the Haitian Parole Program from Haiti?).

(5) The child must have a valid passport.

  1. If I enter the US under the CHNV Parole Program, can I still apply for a student visa? (coming soon)
  1. If I enter the US under the CHNV Parole Program, and my wife or husband is in the US, can I still get a green card? (coming soon) 
  1. How can I cross the US-Mexico border through a port of entry? What is CBP One? 

(1) For people who are already at the U.S.-Mexico border and who do not have documents authorizing their entry into the U.S., the U.S.’ Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will begin accepting applications to enter the U.S. through an online application called “CBP One” starting on January 12, 2023.

(2) To download and use the CBP One app, people must have a web-enabled smart-device, and the app is currently only available in English and Spanish. 

(3) Once downloaded, people can fill out an application to receive an exception to Title 42 and an appointment to present at a Port of Entry (POE) and cross into the U.S..

(4) The application requires people to submit biographical information, a live photo, and to request a date and time to present at a POE along with a spouse or accompanying children.

(5) Appointments to cross will be available at POEs in Texas at Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, Laredo and El Paso (Paso del Norte); in Arizona at Nogales; and in California at Calexico West and San Ysidro (Pedestrian West – El Chaparral).

(6) A link to download the CBP One app can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbpone.

(7) There is a COVID vaccine requirement. The vaccine will be provided at all POEs.

(8) CBP’s factsheets on the CBP One app can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/document/fact-sheets/cbp-one-fact-sheet-english (EN) and https://www.cbp.gov/es/document/fact-sheets/cbp-one-fact-sheet-spanish (ES).

(9) CBP’s reference guides for submitting an application using the app can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/document/guides/cbpone-traveler-quick-reference-guide-english (EN) and https://www.cbp.gov/document/guides/cbpone-traveler-guia-de-referencia-rapida-en-espanol (ES).

For more information, also see these FAQs from Welcome.us in English and Kreyol. 

For more information, please contact HBA.

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “the Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and builds solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. Anpil men, chay pa lou (“Many hands make the load light”). Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @haitianbridge

Leave a Reply

HELP US RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES AT THE BORDER
DONATE TODAY BY CLICKING THE BUTTON BELOW...!