How To Bring In A Cuban Relative?

The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program (CFRP) was established in 2007 to allow eligible U. S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for parole for their family members in Cuba. If granted parole, these family members may come to the United States without waiting for their immigrant visas to become available. Alternatively, family members can apply for a visitor’s visa at the consulate.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced processes through which nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as their immediate family members, may request to come to the United States. In May 2023, DHS announced new family reunification parole processes for certain nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, and their immediate family.

The CFRP allows certain individuals to apply for permission to enter the US for their family members in Cuba, avoiding the wait for an immigration priority date. The program was created in 2007 and allows eligible U. S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for parole for their family members in Cuba.

U. S. citizens may file petitions for their spouses, children, fiancé(e), parents, and siblings. Lawful permanent residents may also request to be paroled into the United States. A beneficiary must be a national of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela, or their immediate family member, such as a spouse or unmarried child under age.

The CFRP provides a lawful, safe, and orderly pathway for certain Cubans to seek parole into the United States, allowing them to reunite with family. A US citizen or spouse can assist or sponsor a family member or spouse who is a US citizen.

How Much Income For An Affidavit Of Support?

The I-864P, effective March 1, 2024, outlines the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines for the Affidavit of Support, detailing required income levels based on household size. For instance, a two-person household must have an income of at least $25, 550 to meet 125% of the guidelines. Potential sponsors must prove they can financially support the intending immigrants, ensuring their income meets or exceeds 125% of the federal poverty level for their household size.

Evidence of income can consist of taxable income, non-taxable income (like housing allowances), or a combination of income and assets. Additionally, sponsors may be held responsible to reimburse government agencies if beneficiaries receive means-tested public benefits like food assistance or Medicaid. To file the I-864, documentation, including the most recent three years of federal tax returns, is required. To qualify as a sponsor, an individual must either have sufficient income or provide a joint sponsor.

The guidelines and requirements for sponsorship vary if the sponsor is on active military duty. Ultimately, the intent of the affidavit is to ensure financial stability for new immigrants in the U. S.

What Is The Family Reunification Parole Process?

The Family Reunification Parole (FRP) process enables certain eligible beneficiaries from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, and Haiti to be considered for parole into the United States while they wait for their family-based immigrant visas. Announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in May 2023, this initiative allows U. S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to initiate applications on behalf of family members with approved petitions. The FRP is designed to strengthen family unity and streamline the immigration process for these individuals.

Eligible beneficiaries of approved I-130 petitions can enter the U. S. by parole, bypassing the lengthy waiting period associated with visa processing. The entire process consists of seven steps to ensure effective implementation. Additionally, individuals granted parole through this program may seek REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or identification. The initiative, part of the Biden Administration's broader push for family stability, is available by invitation only and targets specific nationalities. Overall, the FRP facilitates family reunification and offers a temporary solution for eligible individuals awaiting permanent residency.

How Long Is The Waiting Time For Family Reunification?

Applications for residence permits typically take 1-3 months to process, after which approved individuals must register upon arrival. Noncitizens granted family reunification parole may stay in the U. S. for up to 3 years, provided they meet health and vetting requirements. In May 2023, new parole processes were announced for nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Spouses and dependent family members face median wait times of about a year for entry.

Family preference visas for extended relatives are subject to annual caps, often leading to longer waits. Those with approved Form I-130 petitions may have to wait several years for an immigrant visa. For the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) process, steps include an invitation from the National Visa Center or USCIS, followed by multiple processing phases. In the U. K., refugee family reunion visa processing has increased from 12 weeks to 9 months, while the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) may take 20-24 months for decisions. The median processing time for U. S. applications ranges from 5 to 14 months. In Germany, family reunion visa processing generally takes around 3 months, though experiences may vary significantly.

What Is The Reunification Program For Cubans?

Established in 2007, the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) Program permits eligible U. S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to request parole for their family members in Cuba, allowing them to enter the U. S. without waiting for immigrant visas. To initiate the process, supporters must submit Form I-134A for children under 18. In October 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a similar family reunification parole process for Ecuadorians and their immediate families.

The CFRP facilitates the entry of immigrant visa beneficiaries with approved petitions by eligible sponsors into the U. S. Additionally, eligibility criteria require applicants to be principal beneficiaries of approved Form I-130 petitions. The program has evolved since its inception, aiming to modernize procedures for Cuban and Haitian families. USCIS has discretion in authorizing parole, which allows individuals who may be inadmissible or otherwise ineligible for admission to enter the country.

The National Visa Center (NVC) begins scheduling appointments in Havana for approved applicants, notifying petitioners approximately 60 days before interviews. USCIS emphasizes that the CFRP program simplifies the process for Cuban family reunification, enabling smoother family migration assimilation into the United States. For inquiries or assistance, legal support is available through immigration lawyers.

Who Is Eligible For Cuban Family Reunification Parole?

To qualify for the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) Program, there are two main prerequisites. First, you must have a sponsoring family member (petitioner) who has received an invitation to participate in the CFRP Program. Established in 2007, the CFRP allows eligible U. S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to apply for parole for their family members in Cuba, enabling them to enter the U. S. without waiting for an immigrant visa.

Eligibility entails having an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for the Cuban relative. This application process begins with the Department of State's National Visa Center, which invites U. S. citizens and LPRs to submit requests for their beneficiaries. If granted parole, beneficiaries are typically allowed to stay in the U. S. for up to two years, subject to health and vetting criteria.

Additionally, similar family reunification parole processes have been introduced for nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. To be eligible under the CFRP, you must also be a Cuban national living in Cuba, and a beneficiary's immigrant visa must not be immediately available. Overall, the CFRP Program aims to facilitate family reunification for eligible individuals in specific circumstances.

Who Can Help With Family Reunification For Cubans?

Si tienes un familiar en Estados Unidos y necesitas ayuda con el proceso de Reunificación Familiar Cubana, como abogados de origen cubano y expertos en temas de inmigración, podemos asistirte. Puedes llamarnos y programar una cita sin compromiso para aclarar todas tus dudas sobre el tema. Creado en 2007, el Programa CFRP permite a ciertos ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes permanentes legales elegibles solicitar permiso de entrada para sus familiares en Cuba.

Si se concede el permiso, estos familiares pueden venir a Estados Unidos sin esperar a que sus visas de inmigrante estén disponibles. Para ser elegible, debes ser beneficiario principal de un Formulario I-130 aprobado, Petition for Alien Relative. En octubre de 2023, el DHS anunció un nuevo proceso de permiso de reunificación familiar para nacionales de Ecuador y sus familias inmediatas, facilitando la reunificación para individuos de El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Cuba y Haití.

La embajada de EE. UU. en Cuba reafirmó su compromiso con el Programa CFRP. Además, se han publicado avisos para modernizar este proceso. El Programa permite a los beneficiarios de visas de inmigrante con peticiones aprobadas entrar a Estados Unidos sin una visa, acelerando así su reencuentro familiar. Si necesitas más información, contáctanos.

How Much Money Do Cuban Refugees Get?

Cuban refugees in the U. S. currently receive a maximum cash assistance of $60 a month for individuals and $100 for families, based on recent updates. Historically, these individuals came from a background where they had never needed assistance. The State Department notes a one-time payment of $2, 275 for resettlement agencies per refugee. Cuban and Haitian individuals granted entry into the U. S. are potentially eligible for cash assistance, medical support, employment preparation, job placement, and English language training through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

Claims have surfaced regarding the supposed high monthly allowances for illegal refugees, but reality reflects that many are only eligible for limited assistance. In California, a single refugee can receive up to $359 per month, while those over 65 with minimal income might collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) of up to $733 a month. Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) can provide up to a year of support for eligible refugees, asylees, and specific immigrant visa holders.

The Biden administration announced a plan to admit up to 30, 000 individuals monthly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela over two years. The income for households led by Cuban immigrants was recorded at a median of $52, 000 in 2021, lower than both immigrant and U. S.-born averages.

Can A US Citizen Request An Immigration Parole In Cuba?

Since 2016, USCIS has refrained from sending new invitations for the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program (CFRP), which allows certain U. S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to request immigration parole for relatives in Cuba. This program, created in 2007, has recently resumed its operations, enabling eligible U. S. citizens and LPRs to apply for parole for family members in need. If parole is granted, these relatives can enter the U. S. without waiting for their immigrant visas.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced processes for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (known as CHNV nationals) and their immediate families to request entry to the U. S. Through the CFRP, those with approved immigrant visa petitions can obtain parole, which simplifies family reunification. To be eligible, a sponsor must submit an I-134A form to USCIS. Applicants must also hold valid passports.

The U. S. government may grant advance travel authorization to up to 30, 000 noncitizens monthly on a case-by-case basis under the CFRP. This program facilitates entry for Cuban nationals, with provisions for applying for work permits online upon arrival. The CFRP thus represents a vital avenue for reuniting families separated by immigration barriers.

How Long Does It Take For I134A To Be Approved?

The processing time for Form I-134A in 2024 can be variable, with a general aim by USCIS to complete it within a few months after submission. While typical approval may range from 2 to 3 months, various factors, including case load, can influence this timeframe. For the most accurate updates, it’s advisable to check the USCIS website. Although many applicants report quick approvals, there have also been instances of delays, with some applications pending for longer than expected, raising concerns about USCIS overloading.

USCIS does not currently provide specific processing times for Form I-134A on their website, leading to uncertainty among applicants. Recent comments indicate that processing could take 90 days or more, although some experiences suggest quicker handling. The process is subject to change based on workloads and the efficiency of both USCIS and U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Once Form I-134A is approved, applicants will receive a notification detailing the next steps, including if advance travel authorization for the beneficiary is granted. Given the changing nature of processing times, prospective supporters are encouraged to accurately complete their forms and remain informed about any updates or changes in the processing landscape. It may take some time before delays are resolved and typical processing times are reinstated, but staying abreast of the latest information can aid applicants during this process.