The Family Reunification Parole Process announced in May of 2023 is available to:
Certain nationals of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras (including their immediate family petitioners) who have approved family-based petitions (Form I-130)
Who can file a family-based petition for me (Form I-130)?
- US citizens can petition for:
- Unmarried, minor children, spouses, and parents (“immediate relatives”)
- Unmarried sons and daughters (21 and older)
- Married sons and daughters
- Brothers and sisters
- Lawful permanent residents can file for:
- Unmarried, minor children and spouses
- Unmarried, adult, sons and daughters (21 and older)
If I already have an approved I-130, why do I need the Family Reunification Parole Process?
An approved I-130 does not give the beneficiary direct access to be able to come to the U.S. Visa backlogs could mean many years for the beneficiary to be able to begin the consular processing process to come to the U.S.
For instance, a U.S. citizen from Mexico who has an approved I-130 Petition filed on behalf of his or her Mexican brother that was filed on or before August 1, 2000, is currently eligible to begin consular processing based on the August Visa Bulletin. That is a 23 year wait and the wait times keep getting longer and longer.
The Family Reunification Parole Process allows eligible beneficiaries to come to the U.S. with parole while they wait for their family-based visa to become available.
How do I apply for the Family Reunification Parole Process?
Once the I-130 Petition is approved you must wait for an invitation to be sent either by mail or email from the Department of States’s National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC began sending invitations on July 31, 2023.
If your address or email has changed since you filed the I-130 Petition it is important to update your contact information with the NVC via their public inquiry form.
If you have any questions, contact our office at (727) 471-0677.