The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an announcement regarding the new Family Reunification Parole Process for Ecuador. This process seeks to strengthen immigration laws and reduce irregular immigration in the United States.
This parole promotes family unity and is part of the measures announced in April 2023 by DHS and the Department of State. All these immigration processes tend to be confusing and complex for immigrants. Therefore, our New Jersey immigration lawyers are ready to help you overcome them.
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What Is The New Family Reunification Parole Process For Ecuador?
This new family reunification process for Ecuador is an immigration strategy implemented by the Biden-Harris Administration in order to:
- Provide legal immigration pathways, and
- Reduce irregular immigration.
The humanitarian parole process for family reunification for Ecuador promotes family unity in accordance with our laws and values.
DHS
In addition, the process seeks to provide certain Ecuadorian nationals with the immigration relief that their family members will be able to access US legal processes. This avoids exposure to immigration dangers, such as human trafficking and smuggling.
Who Qualifies For This Process?
Ecuadorians whose immediate family members are permanent residents or American citizens may be considered for this humanitarian permit. However, they must have been pre-approved to join their family in the US.
It should be noted that this parole will be for a period of up to 3 years. On the other hand, qualified beneficiaries must:
- Be outside the United States,
- Comply with all established conditions, and
- Not have already obtained an immigrant visa.
Additionally, certain Ecuadorians may be eligible to be considered for this process if they are beneficiaries of Form I-130, petition for a foreign relative.
How Does This New Process Work?
The new process begins with the issuance by the Department of State of an invitation to the Ecuadorian family member of a:
- US citizen, or
- Legal permanent resident.
However, a family petition to the United States must have been previously approved. Beneficiaries awaiting an immigrant visa may include certain children and siblings of the U.S. citizen.
In the case of permanent residents, certain spouses and children may qualify for the process. The invited petitioner could begin the process by filing a petition on behalf of the beneficiary and eligible family members. All of this is to be considered for:
- An advance travel authorization, and
- Humanitarian permission.
At Curbelo Law we focus on helping immigrants become legal in the country. Therefore, in our blog you will find extensive information about how to get the Green Card or how to get US citizenship.
To Consider
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) gives DHS the discretion to temporarily grant humanitarian parole to applicants for admission to the US. However, all of this will be:
- Case by case,
- For urgent humanitarian reasons, or
- Some significant public benefit.
Previous secretaries from different administrations have similarly exercised their humanitarian permission authority to establish other family reunification processes. For example the:
- Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program in 2007, and
- Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program in 2014.
Additionally, in July, DHS announced new family reunification parole for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Likewise, family reunification parole processes for Cuba and Haiti were modernized in August.
