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On May 17, 2023, USCIS updated the review procedure for the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. The update is intended to maintain a meaningful and equitable opportunity for all beneficiaries of a Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, to move forward through the process and seek advance travel authorization. The Biden administration first announced this update Jan. 5, 2023.

Under the new review process, USCIS will randomly select about half of the monthly total, regardless of filing date, from the entire pending workload of Form I-134A to determine whether the case can be confirmed. They will review the other half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A based on when the case was submitted under the “first-in, first-out” method, which prioritizes the oldest Forms I-134A for review.

Potential supporters should not submit a duplicate Form I-134A for the same beneficiary. USCIS will not accept a duplicate Form I-134A if a previously submitted Form I-134A between the same potential supporter and beneficiary is pending. If USCIS does not confirm a Form I-134A, but a supporter believes they meet the requirements to be a supporter under the process, they may file a new Form I-134A and submit additional information as evidence.

Under this updated review procedure, processing times will vary. Potential supporters may monitor the status of a Form I-134A they filed in their USCIS online account or check the most recent status in Case Status Online. The USCIS Contact Center cannot provide any additional information about the status of your case.

Following are the eligibility requirements for the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans:

  • Be a national of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela;
  • Be outside the United States;
  • Have a U.S.-based supporter who filed a Form I-134A on your behalf that USCIS has vetted and confirmed;
  • Provide for your own commercial travel to a U.S. airport and final U.S. destination;
  • Undergo and clear required screening and vetting;
  • Not be a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than one of these four countries, and not currently hold refugee status in any country;
  • Not be an unaccompanied child;
  • Not have been ordered removed from the United States within the past five years or be subject to a bar based on a prior removal order;
  • Not have crossed irregularly into the United States, between ports of entry, after Oct. 19, 2022;
  • Not have unlawfully crossed the Mexican or Panamanian borders after Oct. 19, 2022; and
  • Comply with all additional requirements, including vaccination requirements and other public health guidelines.

Those eligible for the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans can file a Form I-134A online at the USCIS website. Supporters must also file a Form I-134A. Once both forms are filed, USCIS will review the case and make a decision.

Those granted parole will be allowed to stay in the United States for up to two years. During that time, parolees may be eligible to work and apply for a social security number.

Those with questions about the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, or Venezuelans should consult with experienced immigration counsel.

Tags: cuba, Form I-134A, Haiti, Nicaragua, travel, travel update, USCIS, Venezuela
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Photo of Laura Foote Reiff ‡ Laura Foote Reiff ‡

Laura Foote Reiff has more than 32 years of experience representing businesses and organizations in the business immigration and compliance field. She is also a business immigration advocate and has long chaired prominent business immigration coalitions. Laura is Co-Founder of GT’s Business and

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Laura Foote Reiff has more than 32 years of experience representing businesses and organizations in the business immigration and compliance field. She is also a business immigration advocate and has long chaired prominent business immigration coalitions. Laura is Co-Founder of GT’s Business and Immigration and Compliance Group which she co-led since 1999. She currently chairs the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. Immigration and Compliance Practice. Laura is also Co-Managing Shareholder of the Northern Virginia Office of GT, a position she has held since 2010. As a global leader in the business immigration community, Laura has served on the Boards of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Immigration Council, the National Immigration Forum and is currently the Chair of the America is Better Board.

Laura advises corporations on a variety of compliance-related issues, particularly related to Form I-9 eligibility employment verification matters. Laura has been involved in audits and internal investigations and has successfully minimized monetary exposure as well as civil and criminal liabilities on behalf of her clients. She develops immigration compliance strategies and programs for both small and large companies. Laura performs I-9, H-1B and H-2B compliance inspections during routine internal reviews, while performing due diligence (in the context of a merger, acquisition or sale) or while defending a company against a government investigation.

Laura represents many businesses in creating, managing and using “Regional Centers” that can create indirect jobs toward the 10 new U.S. jobs whose creation can give rise to EB-5 permanent residence for investment. She coordinates this work with attorneys practicing in securities law compliance, with economists identifying “targeted employment areas” and projecting indirect job creation, and with licensed securities brokers coordinating offerings. She also represents individual investors in obtaining conditional permanent residence and in removing conditions from permanent residence.

Laura’s practice also consists of managing business immigration matters and providing immigration counsel to address the visa and work authorization needs of U.S. and global personnel including professionals, managers and executives, treaty investors/ traders, essential workers, persons of extraordinary ability, corporate trainees, and students. She is an immigration policy advocacy expert and works on immigration reform policies.

‡ Admitted in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Not admitted in Virginia. Practice limited to federal immigration practice.

Read more about Laura Foote Reiff ‡
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