The Family Reunification Parole (FRP) Program offered by USCIS is designed to help certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents reunite in the United States. This family reunification program allows eligible relatives to enter and stay in the country on a temporary basis while they await the availability of their immigrant visas.
At Ybarra Maldonado Law Group, we are passionate about reuniting families and keeping them together. We know that the process of reunification can be complicated, which is why we’re here to walk you through it from start to finish. Our compassionate immigration attorneys in Phoenix will help you determine eligibility criteria and complete the application processes so you can rest easy about your petition.
To schedule a consultation with us, please call our office at 602-910-4040 today.
What Is the USCIS Family Reunification Program?
The USCIS Family Reunification Program, known as the family reunification parole process, allows certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to temporarily enter and stay in the United States while they wait for their immigrant visa to become available. This program aims to promote family unity by providing eligible relatives a pathway to join their loved ones in the U.S. during the often lengthy visa processing period.
What Is the History of the Family Reunification Program?
In May 2023, DHS introduced new family reunification parole processes for nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, and their immediate family members, with approved family-based petitions. In October 2023, the program expanded to include nationals from Ecuador.
Updates to the Cuban and Haitian family reunification parole processes now allow completion online without in-person interviews. The Cuban program, initiated in 2007, supports U.S. migration accords, while the Haitian program, started in 2014, facilitates orderly migration and recovery efforts post the 2010 earthquake.
Who Is Eligible for the Family Reunification Program?
Eligibility is determined by USCIS, which has strict guidelines regarding who can be a petitioner or a beneficiary. In fact, you must receive a physical, written invitation by mail or email before you can file Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support.
In the following sections, we outline the eligibility requirements for both petitioners and beneficiaries, as well as the different types of beneficiaries under this program.
Petitioners
To be eligible as a petitioner under the Family Reunification Program, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) with an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed on behalf of a relative.
Petitioners must receive a written invocation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before they can submit Form I-134A under the Family Reunification Program. The petitioner, also known as the supporter, must meet the following criteria outlined by USCIS.
- The petitioner is either a United States citizen or a green card holder (lawful permanent resident).
- They filed Form I-130 for a principal beneficiary and it was approved by USCIS.
- They received an invitation from USCIS to file Form I-134A and begin the FRP process.
- The principal beneficiary has not yet received an immigrant visa since the invitation was issued.
Beneficiaries
A beneficiary is a family member of a petitioner who stands to benefit from an approved Form I-130 and who is eligible for parole into the U.S. under the FRP. These can include principal beneficiaries, derivative beneficiaries, and add-on beneficiaries. We’ll cover the differences between these in a later section.
For beneficiaries to be eligible for an advance authorization and parole grant, they must meet the following criteria.
- Currently be outside the United States
- Be listed as a principal or derivative beneficiary on an approved Form I-130, or an add-on derivative beneficiary
- Be a foreign national of a country the United States has a family reunification parole process with, or be a derivative beneficiary of a principal beneficiary who is eligible
- Have a petitioner relative in the United States who received an FRP invitation on behalf of the beneficiary
- Have not yet received an immigrant visa at the time the invitation was issues to the petitioner
- Have a valid, unexpired passport for travel to the United States
- Undergo a medical examination and receive clearance from a panel physician
- Undergo and pass a public safety and national security vetting
- Show that your case warrants a favorable review by the Department of Homeland Security
Principal Beneficiary
A principal beneficiary is a family member for whom the petitioner filed the Form I-130. Examples of eligible family members include spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21. They could also be an adult son, daughter, or sibling. When seeking family reunification parole, a principal beneficiary must maintain eligibility for their immigrant visa category. This means that an unmarried child must stay unmarried to retain their eligibility.
Derivative Beneficiary
Derivative beneficiaries are the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of the principal beneficiary. They are sometimes also listed on the Form I-130 that the petitioner filed. If principal beneficiaries are not approved for parole, their derivative beneficiaries will not be approved.
Add-On Derivative Beneficiary
In some cases, a principal beneficiary may marry or have a child after USCIS approves their Form I-130. When this happens, the spouse or unmarried child under 21 may become an add-on beneficiary. This makes them eligible for parole.
How to Apply for the Family Reunification Parole Processes
As we mentioned previously, one cannot apply for the family reunification parole process without the petitioner having received an invitation. Only those who have received the invitation from USCIS may submit Form I-134A to initiate the family reunification parole process. In the following sections, we outline the steps involved in the FRP process.
Step 1: Invitation
The process begins when selected petitioners receive their FRP invitation through mail or email from the Department of State’s National Visa Center. These petitioners will have filed Form I-130, which USCIS will have approved. After receiving the invitation, petitioners can request to be a supporter of a beneficiary and start the FRP process.
The invitation includes information on the next steps in the process and other pertinent information. It specifically includes what documentation to include when filing Form I-134A. These invitations include identification numbers that petitioners must include in each Form I-134A that they include for each beneficiary.
To find out if you have received an invitation, use USCIS’s invitation search tool.
Step 2: Petitioner Files Form I-134A
Next, petitioners must file Form I-134A for each of their beneficiaries through the online myUSCIS web portal. The form will collect information about both the petitioner and beneficiary. This information must be accurate and include the beneficiary’s correct email address. This is where the beneficiary will receive their instructions.
If a petitioner wishes to support multiple beneficiaries, they must submit Form I-134A for each beneficiary or add-on beneficiary. Petitioners must include financial evidence that they can support each beneficiary as well as the rest of their household. USCIS will then perform background checks on both the petitioner and their beneficiaries.
In each Form I-134A, the petitioner must include evidence that establishes family relationships between themselves and their principal or derivative beneficiaries. If the form is submitted in any language other than English, the petitioner must include an English translation and a certification from the translator.
Step 3: Beneficiary Provides Supporting Information
Once the Form I-134A is confirmed by USCIS, the beneficiary will receive an email with instructions on how to make an online account with myUSCIS. They will also receive instructions on completing the next steps.
They must confirm their biological information, confirm they meet the eligibility requirements, and complete a medical examination with a panel physician. This medical exam is required before a beneficiary can complete the next steps in their myUSCIS account.
Step 4: Beneficiary Submits Request Through Mobile App
Once a beneficiary has completed their medical requirements, they will receive further instructions through their myUSCIS account. These instructions will explain how to access the CBP One mobile app. The beneficiary must then enter their biographical information into the app and provide a photo of themselves.
Step 5: Beneficiary Receives Authorization to Travel to the United States
After completing everything in the previous steps, CBP One will notify the beneficiary through their account that they have been issued advance travel authorization. This advance authorization is only valid for 90 days, and is granted by the Department of Homeland Security. Beneficiaries must secure their own travel to the United States within this time frame. Keep in mind that advance travel authorization does not guarantee parole or entry into the United States.
If a beneficiary is a child under 18, they must travel to the United States with a parent or legal guardian. They must also provide evidence to confirm that familial relationship.
If there are both principal and derivative beneficiaries, the principal beneficiary must travel to the United States either with or before the derivative beneficiary. If a derivative beneficiary travels before the principal beneficiary, they will not receive parole under the FRP.
Step 6: At Port of Entry, Beneficiary Seeks Parole
Before a beneficiary can be paroled into the United States, CBP will inspect and consider them individually. Whether or not they grant parole for a period of up to three years is at CBP’s discretion. This inspection includes additional screenings and the collection of fingerprint biometrics.
If CBP feels that a beneficiary would pose a public safety or national security risk, they will be denied parole. In some cases, CBP may refer a beneficiary to USCIS for further review.
Step 7: Beneficiary Is Granted Parole
If a beneficiary is granted parole, this parole period will generally last for up to 3 years. They will still be subject to health and vetting requirements. A beneficiary who has received parole can request employment authorization by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
What to Expect After Filing Form I-134A
After a petitioner files Form I-134A, USCIS will review the form and its supporting documents. One main aspect that USCIS heavily reviews is the petitioner’s ability to financially support their beneficiaries for the duration of the parole period. They will also conduct background checks on the petitioner and verify their relationship with the beneficiary. If a beneficiary is approved and paroled into the United States, they may begin the process of receiving their immigrant visa.
In the following sections, we outline what to expect if Form I-134A is deemed sufficient or insufficient.
Acceptance of Form I-134A
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services confirms that Form I-134A is sufficient. They will then email the beneficiary with further instructions. If the beneficiary can do or provide the following, they will likely advance to the next steps.
- Evidence affirming the following:
- The beneficiary is from a country with an FRP process, and they are the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-130.
- They are either the spouse or an unmarried child under 21 of the principal beneficiary.
- Evidence certifying the following:
- Family relationship requirements for children under 18, including travel requirements for those children.
- They understand that a parent or legal guardian must provide evidence of their relationship to the child at a port of entry.
- Evidence that the beneficiary has completed their medical exam and has no Class A medical conditions.
Denial of Form I-134A
USCIS reviews each Form I-134A on a case-by-case basis. If USCIS determines that the form was insufficient, they will send an email saying so to the petitioner and the beneficiary. Because they determined the form to be insufficient, the beneficiary will not be considered for parole at this time.
However, a petitioner may file another Form I-134A and provide more evidence to USCIS. This is where an attorney can help immensely. The team at Ybarra Maldonado Law Group has extensive experience reuniting families and helping individuals through the FRP process.
Family Reunification FAQs
How Does USCIS Determine Who Is Invited to Participate in Family Reunification?
USCIS bases its invitations to the family reunification parole process on multiple factors. Some factors they consider include the number of requests they can process at one time. They also consider how long beneficiaries might be waiting before an immigrant visa becomes available for them. USCIS sends out invitations to petitioners on a rolling basis.
How Long Are the Processing Times for Form I-134A?
It is difficult to say how long the processing times will be, as they vary from case to case. Although USCIS does their best to expedite the process, petitioners and beneficiaries may face lengthy wait times. To check the status of your travel authorization, check your myUSCIS account frequently. If you are granted travel authorization, you will receive a notice through your account.
Will I Need to Submit to Biometrics Screening?
Yes. You will need to complete a medical exam with a panel physician, as well as biometric screening. Your biometric information will be submitted to DHS. After receiving advance travel authorization and arriving at a port of entry in the United States, further information will be collected, such as fingerprints. CBP will then consider granting parole.
Contact the Phoenix Immigration Attorneys at Ybarra Maldonado Law Group Today
The family reunification program is highly beneficial for many individuals looking to reunite with their family members. However, it can be a daunting, confusing process. The Phoenix immigration lawyers with Ybarra Maldonado Law Group are here to guide you through every step. Working with our team can save you time and stress, as we are highly experienced with cases such as these.
To schedule a consultation with one of our compassionate team members about your case, please call our office at 602-910-4040 today.
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