The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced new family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to reduce irregular migration while promoting family unity. These processes offer lawful pathways for nationals from these countries with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members.
Under the new processes, eligible individuals may be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis, allowing them to stay in the United States for up to three years while awaiting their application for lawful permanent residency. Beneficiaries must meet requirements, including screening, vetting, and medical criteria, and must not have received an immigrant visa previously.
The process begins with the Department of State issuing an invitation to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member who has an approved Form I-130 on behalf of the beneficiary. The petitioner can then initiate the process by filing a request for advance travel authorization and parole for the beneficiary and eligible family members.
Parole will be granted based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, along with a favorable exercise of discretion. Individuals paroled into the United States may request employment authorization while awaiting their immigrant visa. Once the immigrant visa becomes available, they can apply for lawful permanent residency.
The parole authority, granted by the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to temporarily parole noncitizens into the United States on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or public benefit. Similar FRP processes, such as the Cuban and Haitian Family Reunification Parole Programs, have been established in the past.
These new FRP processes align with the administration’s commitment to safe and orderly migration while ensuring compliance with immigration laws and fostering family unity.
