Effective Dates: 07/31/2024 - Present
Identification Number:
| EM-23014 REV
|
| Intended Audience: | All RCs/ARCs/ADs/FOs |
| Originating Office: | ORDP OISP |
| Title: | Enumeration: New Parole Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Western Hemisphere Parolees |
| Type: | EM - Emergency Messages |
| Program: | Records Maintenance (Earnings & Enumeration) |
| Link To Reference: | See References at the end of this EM |
|
Retention Date: 01/31/2025
Summary of Changes:
· Updated the Title to “Enumeration: New Parole Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Western Hemisphere Parolees.”
· Updated Sections A, B, and C to include “Western Hemisphere Parolees.”
· Updated formatting for Section C.
A. Purpose
This emergency message (EM) provides processing information for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, and Western Hemisphere parolees under the new parole processes.
B. Background
On January 5, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the new parole processes through which nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), and their immediate family members, may request to come to the United States in a safe and orderly way. Individuals who are outside the United States and lack U.S. entry documents may be considered for advanced authorization to travel and a temporary period of parole for up to two years for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Unlike Ukrainian and Afghan parolees, CHNVs are not work authorized incident to their status. To be eligible for a work authorized Social Security Number (SSN) card, they may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) on USCIS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization).
On April 27, 2023, DHS announced measures to reduce unlawful migration across the Western Hemisphere, expand lawful pathways for protection, and facilitate the processing of migrants. One of these measures was establishing the Safe Mobility (SMO) initiative, which can direct refugees and migrants to lawful pathways and help them avoid the risks associated with potentially dangerous irregular migration. In the SMO initiative, certain noncitizens may be considered for parole, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
DHS issued a new class of admission (COA) known as Western Hemisphere Parole (WHP) based on this initiative. Individuals with this COA can be paroled, on a case-by-case basis, for up to three years and is not limited to any particular citizenship/nationality.
Unlike Ukrainian and Afghan parolees, WHPs are not work authorized incident to their status. To be eligible for a work authorized Social Security Number (SSN) card, they may apply for an EAD on USCIS Form I-765.
C. Evidentiary Documents:
Individuals granted parole under these processes may present the following document(s):
1. Cuba:
Cuban parolees may possess the following documents:
· An unexpired passport with a parole stamp that includes a COA of CHP;
· Unexpired Form I-94 with a COA of CHP-Cuban Humanitarian Parolee; or
· Form I-766, EAD, with a C11 category if they applied for and received one.
2. Haiti:
Haitian parolees may possess the following documents:
· An unexpired passport with a parole stamp that includes a COA of HHP;
· Unexpired Form I-94 with a COA of HHP-Haitian Humanitarian Parolee; or
· Form I-766, EAD, with a C11 category if they applied for and received one.
3. Nicaragua:
Nicaraguan parolees may possess the following documents:
· An unexpired passport with a parole stamp that includes a COA of NHP;
· Unexpired Form I-94 with a COA of NHP-Nicaraguan Humanitarian Parolee; or
· Form I-766, EAD, with a C11 category if they applied for and received one.
4. Venezuela:
Venezuelan parolees may possess the following documents:
· An unexpired passport with a parole stamp that includes a COA of VHP;
· Unexpired Form I-94 with a COA of VHP-Venezuelan Humanitarian Parolee;
· An expired Venezuelan passport (Will have a validity period of five years from the expiration date listed on the passport); or
· Form I-766, EAD, with a C11 category if they applied for and received one.
5. Western Hemisphere Parole:
Western Hemisphere parolees may possess the following documents:
· An unexpired passport with parole stamp that includes a COA of WHP;
· Unexpired Form I-94 with a COA of WHP; or
· Form I-766, EAD, with a C11 category if they applied for and received one.
Note: Individuals with a WHP COA may possess Form I-512L, Authorization to Transport for Parole of an Alien Into the United States. This form does not serve as proof of age, identity, or immigration status.
D. Field Office Processing Instructions:
SSNAP was updated to reflect the new COAs of CHP, HHP, NHP, VHP, and WHP in the “Admission Class or Status” dropdown on the “Proof of Legal Alien Status” screen.
Enumeration applications for noncitizens with the appropriate documentation and a COA of CHP, HHP, NHP, VHP, or WHP should be processed through SSNAP following normal parolee procedures.
Applicants must submit evidence of age, identity, and alien status. Per RM 10211.190, parolees may submit only one document to prove age, identity, and immigration status for an SSN card.
Direct all program-related and technical questions to your Regional Office (RO) support staff using Vhelp. RO support staff may refer questions, concerns, or problems to their Central Office contacts.
References:
RM 10211.190 Evidence of Parolee Status for an SSN Card
RM 10211.195 Evidence of Parolee Status When an Alien Submits Form I-94 or Unexpired Foreign Passport
RM 10211.200 Evidence of Parolee Status When an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) is submitted
RM 10211.420 Employment Authorization for Non-immigrants
RM 10210.420 Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents
RM 10210.170 Understanding the Social Security Number Application Process’s (SSNAP’s) One Time Special Processing (OTSP) Option
EM-23014 REV - Enumeration: New Parole Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Western Hemisphere Parolees - 07/31/2024