The United States Government has introduced a new parole process for Cubans in an effort to improve relations with the communist country. The move is also seen as a way to stem the flow of Cuban migrants to the United States, which has been a contentious issue in recent years. There has been a surge in the number of Cubans attempting to reach the United States by sea. Many of these migrants have been intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard and returned to Cuba.
The new parole process will allow certain Cubans who have been approved for a U.S. visa to enter the country on a parolee basis. This will allow them to bypass the lengthy and often complicated process of obtaining a visa through the Cuban government.
Background
The U.S. government says that the new parole process is not a preferential treatment for Cubans, but rather a recognition of the unique circumstances that they face. The process is open to all Cubans who meet the criteria for a U.S. visa and is not limited to those with family ties in the United States.
The two countries have been at odds over a number of issues, including the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba and the Cuban government’s human rights record.
The new parole process is not without its critics, who say that the Cuban government could use it to send criminals and other undesirables to the United States. However, the U.S. government has said it will carefully screen all applicants to ensure that only those who pose no threat to the United States will be allowed to enter.
Reasons for the Parole Process Implementation
Since the 1990s, the United States has been granting parole to certain categories of Cuban nationals. In general, parole allows an individual to enter the United States for a temporary period of time. The individual must demonstrate that he or she meets one of the parole criteria and they do not pose a security threat to the United States. There are a number of reasons why the United States has been granting parole to Cuban nationals.
First, the United States has a long-standing policy of providing safe haven to those who are fleeing persecution.
Second, the United States and Cuba have a history of cooperation on migration issues, and the United States has been working to encourage Cuba to adopt a more liberal migration policy.
Finally, the United States has an interest in promoting family reunification.
The United States has granted parole to Cuban nationals under a number of different programs. The most well-known program is the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, which was created in 2007. Under this program, Cuban nationals who have been approved for immigrant visas can be paroled into the United States while they await the issuance of their visas.
Other programs that have been used to grant parole to Cuban nationals include the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program and the Cuban Refugee Parole Program. The Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program was created in 2006 and allows Cuban medical professionals to come to the United States to provide medical care.
The United States has also granted parole to a number of Cuban nationals who were not eligible for any of the above programs. In many cases, these individuals were granted parole on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility
The United States government has allowed Cuban citizens to apply for parole under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This policy change was made in order to encourage Cuban citizens to immigrate to the United States, legally.
- In order to be eligible for this parole, Cuban citizens must first have a valid passport.
- They should also be able to demonstrate that they have a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The process can be started only if they have a sponsor here in the States.
- They must also establish that they are seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of reuniting with their family.
It is advised that aspiring parolees confirm their eligibility criteria before the application process begins.
Document compilation, of all the official government-issued documents that could be required to confirm your identity, should preferably be prepared well in advance.
The Parole Procedure Simplified
If you’re a Cuban national seeking to come to the United States, the process is a bit different than for other nationalities or refugees. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the parole procedure for Cuban entry into the United States.
- You’ll need to have a sponsor in the United States. This can be a family member, friend, or organization.
- Your sponsor will need to submit an application (Form I-134A) on your behalf to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Once your application is approved, you’ll be contacted by the USCIS and given instructions on how to proceed. You will first have to register by making an online account on the USCIS portal. They will require proof of eligibility and biographic information.
- If the application is approved, you’ll be able to travel to the United States. Please note that the approval is entirely dependent on the concerned authority’s discretion and cannot be appealed. Upon arrival, you’ll be processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Rigorous vetting and identity confirmation procedures take place at the border.
- If approved for parole, Cuban citizens will be allowed to enter the United States and will be given a parole document. This document will allow them to remain in the United States for up to one year. After this year, they will be required to apply for an extension of their parole or for a different type of visa in order to remain in the United States.
This policy change has been welcomed by many Cuban citizens who have been seeking to immigrate to the United States. It has also been applauded by human rights organizations as a way to help Cuban citizens who are seeking to flee the Cuban government. Contact the immigration lawyers at Yemi Getachew for help today.
