Photo by Dario Valenzuela on Unsplash

The Biden Administration has announced a new Family Reunification Parole Process for Ecuador - that would enable certain family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who have an approved family-based petition (Form I-130) to wait for an immigrant visa in the United States with their family member on a temporary parole status. According to USCIS, 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 Administration announced that the family reunification process is established to promote family unity and safe and orderly migratory pathways, consistent with the objectives in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The process is intended to reunite families more quickly and provide an alternative to dangerous irregular migration.

You may remember that a similar process was announced this July for nationals of El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras, and had already been in place for nationals of Cuba and Haiti. 

How Soon Can I Apply for My Family Member to Come Here?

• You have to receive an invitation from the State Department in order to file the request for your family member (Form I-134A). They will be sent through the mail to eligible Form I-130 petitioners, so be on the lookout. 

• Wait to file an I-134A application for your relative until you receive the State Department invitation.

• If USCIS confirms the sufficiency of a petitioner's Form I-134A, the Department of Homeland Security will complete security vetting on each beneficiary and will consider each beneficiary for advance travel authorization on a case-by-case basis. 

How Long Can My Family Member Stay in the United States?

• If granted, parole will be given for a three year period in the U.S., with the hope that while your family member is here an immigrant visa will become available and they can apply to adjust status to a permanent resident. 

Will My Family Member be Able to Work Once They Get Here?

• Not immediately. Upon arriving in the U.S. your family member will be able to apply for a work permit (Form I-765), and only after it is approved can they begin working here. Work authorization documents are currently taking an average of 5-9 months to be approved. 

If you have questions about the family reunification parole process or another immigration petition please reach out to us at (757) 422-8472, or send us a message on our website. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys by clicking on this link.