A Cuban man who entered the United States through the humanitarian parole program decided to travel back to Cuba for a while to visit his ill mother. Now, he finds himself unable to return to Miami, where his four children reside. This man reached out to journalist Mario J. Pentón seeking advice from the attorneys who collaborate with Pentón, as he desperately needs to find a way back to the United States.
"I need to return to the United States. I've been in Cuba for seven months now, and I can't take it anymore. I came because my mother was sick, but she's fine now. I need help to come back," the man expressed.
Legal Challenges and Limitations
Attorney Ismael Labrador clarified that humanitarian parole is not a visa but rather a permit for legal stay in the United States, allowing only a single entry into the country. "You cannot re-enter the U.S. with the same parole you initially used. This is not a multiple-entry visa or a U.S. residence permit, even if you received it in the United States. Understand, it’s a permit for staying in the country," the lawyer explained.
Labrador emphasized that it is crucial for immigrants with humanitarian parole to understand the consequences of returning to their countries of origin, in this case, Cuba, as they lose the opportunities granted by the program. "The only solution in this case is to apply for a new parole and wait for a new approval," he indicated.
However, U.S. officials scrutinize each case carefully. All data is recorded in their databases, so when evaluating the next humanitarian parole application, they will know when the first was filed, the context of its approval, and the duration of the individual's stay in the U.S. This could result in a more critical review of the request.
In the case of this Cuban man, who has one of his four children suffering from heart disease, he might be able to apply for an I-131 humanitarian visa. Nevertheless, this type of visa is among the most challenging to obtain due to the extensive documentation required for each case.
Understanding Humanitarian Parole and Re-entry Challenges
Given the complexities surrounding humanitarian parole and re-entry into the United States, we have compiled some frequently asked questions to provide more clarity on the issue.
What is humanitarian parole?
Humanitarian parole is a temporary permission to enter and stay in the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. It is not a visa and typically allows only a single entry into the country.
Can I re-enter the U.S. with the same humanitarian parole?
No, you cannot re-enter the United States with the same humanitarian parole. You would need to apply for a new parole and wait for approval.
What are the alternatives if I cannot re-enter with humanitarian parole?
One potential alternative is applying for an I-131 humanitarian visa, though this process is complex and requires substantial documentation to support the application.