US Introduces New Immigration Pathway For People From Central America, Colombia
Written by Mimi Nguyen via The Epoch Times
(emphasis ours),
The Biden administration introduced a new program for immigration that allows some nationals from Central America and Colombia into the United States.
Agents and officers of the federal law enforcement agency keep watch on immigrants as they line up for transport from a temporary camp located between the border walls of Mexico and the U.S. in San Diego, California, May 13, 2023. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Department of Homeland Security of the United States
On July 7, the government announced that it was implementing "new family reunification processes" for Colombia, El Salvador Guatemala and Honduras. The program was
First announced
In April,
The FRP process allows certain migrants who have relatives in the United States to enter and work legal while they wait for their U.S. Immigration visas.
'Specifically,
Nationals of these four countries may be eligible for parole on an individual basis, for up to three-years while they await to apply for permanent residency.
The DHS announced on July 7.
Those from the four countries with family members in the United States who are citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
According to the DHS the latest initiative is part of comprehensive measures announced by the DHS and State Department in April to 'further reduce illegal migration across the Western Hemisphere','significantly expand lawful paths for protection', and 'facilitate the safe, ordered, and humane treatment of migrants'.
FRP is a process that can be used by anyone.
Cubans
Starting in 2007,
Haitians
Starting in 2014. The Trump administration had stopped the programs. However, the Biden administration restarted them later.
US Intends To Welcome As Many As 100,000
A U.S. citizen must file
Form I-30
Also known as a Petition for Alien Relative, this document is filed on behalf of a relative who is Colombian, Salvadoran or Guatemalan.
If the petition is accepted,
The State Department will then send an invitation to the U.S. family members who are petitioning the migrant. They can start the FRP by submitting a request for the migrant.
Consideration for an advance travel authorization or parole.
DHS announced on 7 July that foreign nationals who are granted parole status (which allows entry into the United States) can request employment authorization in the meantime, while they wait for their immigrant visa. Once the immigrant Visa is issued, he/she can apply for permanent residence (also known as a "green card").
The FRP can be a quicker way to enter the United States compared to the normal process whereby U.S. Citizens and Green-Card holders apply and wait for an immigrant Visa for their relatives.
The Biden administration
On May 2, the United States announced that it 'intends' to accept up to 100,000 people from Honduras Guatemala and El Salvador under the FRP process.
There is no time limit and there has not been a cap on the number of migrants from Colombia.
'Lawful Pathways'
In a press release, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the new procedures 'promotes family unity and provides lawful pathways in line with our laws and values'
He said that 'the Department has proved that the expansion and enforcement of safe, lawful, and orderly pathways is effective in reducing dangerous irregular migration into the United States'.
Data is a good indicator
Customs and Border Protection of the United States
More than 126.200 Colombians; 40.700 Salvadorans; 115.100 Guatemalans and 110,000 Hondurans
The Southwest Border has been processing a lot of people in fiscal 2023.
DHS said that the new FRP process 'allows for parole on a temporary, discretionary basis, based upon urgent humanitarian reasons, or public benefit.
These stipulations comply with the Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted by Congress in 1952. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes Homeland Security Secretary--currently, Mr. Mayorkas - to decide whether or not to parole a non-U.S. citizen into the United States.
Parole Status Granted Sparingly
An immigration expert
The Epoch Times
In 2022, parole will be considered a "very, very boutique" thing and only used in special cases. For example, when a relative needs to enter the United States in order to donate a liver to his brother or when a witness is required to testify in a criminal trial.
Read more
here...