Commissioner Monestime applauds new Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program
(MIAMI, FL) – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime is commending the Obama administration for the creation of a new immigration program that will help achieve the goal of reuniting Haitian families.
Starting in early 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin implementation of a Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) Program to expedite family reunification for certain eligible Haitian family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and to promote safe, legal and orderly migration from Haiti to the United States.
In August 2013, Commissioner Monestime had sponsored a resolution (131674) which was adopted by the County Commission, urging President Barack Obama and the United States Secretary of Homeland Security to immediately establish a Haitian Family Reunification Parole program, similar to the Cuban Family Reunification Parole program.
“I want to thank the Obama administration, our South Florida Congressional delegation, local immigration advocates like Haitian Women of Miami Executive Director Marleine Bastien and countless others throughout the community whose hard work and tireless efforts have helped make this program a reality,” Commissioner Monestime said.
Under the program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will offer certain eligible Haitian beneficiaries of already approved family-based immigrant visa petitions an opportunity to come to the United States up to approximately two years before their immigrant visa priority dates become current.
“The Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program promotes a fundamental underlying goal of our immigration system – family reunification. It also supports broader U.S. goals for Haiti’s reconstruction and development by providing the opportunity for certain eligible Haitians to safely and legally immigrate sooner to the United States,” said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
Legal authority for the HFRP program is provided under the Immigration and Nationality Act which authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole into the United States certain individuals, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. This is the same legal authority used to establish the Cuban Family Reunification Parole program in 2007.
USCIS is not currently accepting HFRP program applications, and potential beneficiaries should not take any action at this time. USCIS will provide full program details before the end of this calendar year and stakeholder engagements will take place shortly thereafter. In early 2015, the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) will begin contacting certain U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents with approved petitions for Haitian family members, offer them the opportunity to apply to the program, and provide instructions on how to apply. Only individuals who receive a written notice of program eligibility from NVC will be eligible to apply.
Under the Haitian Family Reunification Parole program, Haitians authorized parole will be allowed to enter the United States and apply for work permits but will not receive permanent resident status any earlier. Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for tips on filing forms, reporting scams, and finding accredited legal services. An informational brochure and flyer are also available on www.uscis.gov.