USCIS ESTABLISHES FAMILYREUNIFICATION PAROLE PROCESS FOR ECUADOR
On November 15, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a new family reunification parole (FRP) process for Ecuador. The process will allow family members to reunite in the United States while they wait for immigrant visas to become available.
The new FRP process is by invitation only for certain nationals of Ecuador and allows an eligible beneficiary to be considered for parole into the United States on a case-by-case basis while they wait for their family-based immigrant visa to become available. This process is intended to provide an alternative to dangerous irregular migration.
The process begins with the Department of State (DOS) issuing an invitation to initiate the process to certain U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioners whose Form I-130 filed on behalf of an Ecuadorian principal beneficiary has been approved. Beneficiaries waiting for an immigrant visa could include certain children and siblings of U.S. citizens and certain spouses and children of permanent residents. The invited petitioner can then file a request to be a supporter of the beneficiary and eligible family members, who may then be considered for advance travel authorization and parole. Qualifying beneficiaries must be outside the United States, must meet all requirements, including screening and vetting and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.
USCIS began using Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, for this process on November 17, 2023.
For more details, view the USCIS news release.
