On January 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published Notice in the Federal Register of new parole processes introduced for Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians. These new processes are similar to the one that was instituted for Venezuelans last year. 

To be eligible as a principal applicant for parole into the United States an individual must be a national of one of the named countries, must be outside the United States and must: 

• Have a qualifying U.S.-based supporter to initiate the process; 
• Possess an unexpired passport valid for international travel; 
• Arrange and pay for commercial air travel to the United States; 
• Pass national security and public safety vetting; and 
• Comply with vaccination and other public health requirements. 

 With some exceptions, applicants with prior removals from the United States or who cross irregularly into the United States, Panama or Mexico after Notice was published on January 9, are not eligible. Unaccompanied minors are also ineligible for the new parole process. 

 While modeled on the Venezuelan parole process introduced in 2022, the new programs have slight differences in who may be ineligible for the program.  Additionally, the Venezuelan parole program has been modified to remove the overall numerical limitation of 24,000. DHS instead has implemented a new monthly limitation of 30,000, cumulatively across the parole programs for Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians.  

For more information concerning potential eligibility or assistance in application under the parole process, contact Foster LLP. Foster will continue to monitor the introduction and administration of immigration benefits programs and will make future updates available via the Foster website at www.fosterglobal.com.