Some applicants for humanitarian parole who had their travel permits denied since the program began in January 2023 have recently received unexpected approvals. This news was revealed on Wednesday by journalist Mario J. Pentón, based on testimonies from individuals who have experienced the joy of finally being approved after initially being denied, without any prior request for additional documentation.
The journalist referred to two periods of mass denials of permits, where some applicants are now receiving travel authorizations during a general review of cases following a fraud report. Pentón also mentioned cases where permits were initially approved, later revoked, and now reapproved.
The advice for all applicants is to regularly check their USCIS accounts and parole petitions to stay informed of any updates.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Thursday the resumption of the humanitarian parole program with strict security measures to prevent fraud. The agency warned in a statement that it will hold individuals accountable for committing fraud or attempting to exploit others for personal gain under this initiative, implemented by the Biden administration in January 2023.
According to the statement—cited by Telemundo 51—the DHS "is committed to holding accountable those who commit fraud or attempt to exploit others. Anyone who commits fraud or other abuses will be referred to the appropriate authorities for prosecution."
Additionally, the DHS announced the implementation of new and enhanced investigation protocols to prevent future fraud. This will include partnerships with the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate of the USCIS and the National Targeting Center of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Enhanced measures will include greater scrutiny of financial records and criminal backgrounds of sponsors, additional investigations to identify fraudulent profiles, and strengthened review methods to detect serial application trends. Furthermore, the DHS announced that fingerprinting of sponsors residing in the United States will now be required as part of the verification process.
The program, which allows applicants from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to live and work in the United States, was paused on August 2 after the DHS reported a significant level of fraud in sponsor applications. As of the end of July, a total of 110,000 Cubans had been authorized to travel to the United States through humanitarian parole, according to data from the CBP.
Key Information About Humanitarian Parole Approvals
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the recent updates and requirements for the humanitarian parole program.
What changes has the DHS implemented to prevent fraud in the humanitarian parole program?
The DHS has introduced stricter security measures, including enhanced scrutiny of financial and criminal records, additional investigations to identify fraudulent profiles, and the requirement of fingerprinting for sponsors in the United States.
Why was the humanitarian parole program paused in August 2023?
The program was paused due to the discovery of significant levels of fraud in sponsor applications, prompting a review and the implementation of stricter measures to prevent future fraud.
How many Cubans have been authorized to travel to the United States through humanitarian parole?
As of the end of July 2023, a total of 110,000 Cubans have been authorized to travel to the United States through humanitarian parole.