The Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) Program is a U.S. immigration initiative that aims to expedite the process of reuniting eligible Haitian family members who are living in Haiti with their relatives who are already lawful permanent residents (LPRs) or U.S. citizens. The program was established to address the significant backlog of visa petitions and to help families come together more quickly.
Here are some key points about the HFRP Program:
- Eligibility: The program primarily benefits Haitian nationals who have approved family-sponsored immigrant visa petitions but are waiting for visa numbers to become available. The petitioner in the United States must be an LPR or a U.S. citizen, and the beneficiary must be a Haitian family member.
- Expedited Processing: Under the HFRP Program, eligible beneficiaries can be granted parole into the United States before their immigrant visas become available. This allows them to reunite with their family members in the U.S. while they await the finalization of their visa applications.
- Humanitarian Considerations: The HFRP Program is designed to address humanitarian concerns, such as family separation and the difficult living conditions in Haiti. It recognizes the importance of family unity and aims to reduce the time families spend apart during the immigration process.
- USCIS Approval: To participate in the program, the petitioner in the U.S. must request parole for their eligible family member in Haiti through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will review the request and determine whether parole is granted based on the beneficiary’s eligibility and humanitarian factors.
- No Guarantee of Legal Status: It’s important to note that parole under the HFRP Program does not grant permanent legal status in the United States. Instead, it allows the beneficiary to temporarily reside in the U.S. while awaiting the finalization of their immigrant visa application. Once the visa becomes available, the beneficiary can adjust their status to become an LPR.
The HFRP Program is specific to Haitian nationals and is part of broader U.S. immigration policies aimed at facilitating family reunification and addressing humanitarian concerns. Eligible individuals and their sponsors should follow the application process outlined by USCIS to take advantage of this program. It’s important to stay updated on the program’s requirements and any changes in immigration policies and procedures.