USCIS Establishes Family Reunification Parole Process for Ecuador

On November 15, 2023, USCIS announced the implementation of a Federal Register notice for a new family reunification parole (FRP) process for Ecuador. The new FRP process is by invitation only for certain nationals of Ecuador and allows an eligible beneficiary to be considered for parole into the United States on a case-by-case basis while they wait for their family-based immigrant visa to become available. This process is intended to reunite families more quickly and provide an alternative to dangerous irregular migration.

Certain nationals of Ecuador who are beneficiaries of an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, may be eligible to be considered for parole under the new FRP processes. Qualifying beneficiaries must be outside the United States, must meet all requirements, including screening and vetting and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.

The process begins when the Department of State issues an invitation to initiate the process to certain U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioners whose Form I-130 filed on behalf of an Ecuadorian principal beneficiary has been approved. Beneficiaries waiting for an immigrant visa can include certain children and siblings of U.S. citizens and certain spouses and children of permanent residents. The invited U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner can then file a request to be a supporter of the beneficiary and eligible family members, who may then be considered for advance travel authorization and parole.

USCIS began using the online Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, for this process on Nov. 17, 2023.

Parole under this process will be authorized only on a case-by-case and temporary basis after determining that there are urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons for authorizing parole and that the beneficiary warrants a favorable exercise of discretion. Noncitizens paroled into the United States under this process will generally be considered for parole for up to three years and can request employment authorization while they wait for their immigrant visa to become available. When their immigrant visa becomes available, they can then submit an application for permanent residency.