Groups of people outside an immigration office in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, seeking passports to participate in the U.S. parole process.
Groups of people outside an immigration office in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, seeking passports to participate in the U.S. parole process. Photos by Marvens Compère

As the Haitian community goes through the process of sponsoring Haitians who want to come to the United States through the Biden Administration’s parole process, both the potential financial supporters and Haitians being sponsored have raised a host of questions. The Haitian Times asked lawyers at the Americans for Immigrant Justice, based in Miami, for some answers.

We’ll keep these answers updated as more questions come up. 

For basic information about filing Form-134A, please read our 8 things to know report first.

Questions from sponsors / financial supporters

  1. Does the person I sponsor have to live with me when they arrive in the U.S.? 

No. The beneficiary does not have to live at the same address or state as the sponsor.

  1. If the beneficiary commits a crime, will I be held responsible as their sponsor? 

No.

  1. If I apply for many people, will they all be approved or all be denied? 

You can sponsor as many Haitians as you’d like. However, the U.S. may determine that your finances are not sufficient to support all of them. As a result, U.S. officials may approve only the number of people they think you can financially support. 

  1. If I’m on TPS, will sponsoring someone affect me negatively? 

No. People on TPS are eligible to be sponsors.

  1. What if the beneficiary doesn’t have an email address? 

The sponsor can create an email address for the beneficiary. However, the beneficiary will need technology access and a smartphone to download and take a photo on the CBP One app.

  1. Can an organization, such as a church or a community service group, be a sponsor? 

A church, company, entity or community service group can be a sponsor. However, You need an individual to be the main supporter. An organization can submit a letter of financial support with the main supporter’s application.

8. How will the government know if I’m keeping up with my end of the responsibilities as a financial supporter? Do I have to file any reports?
Unsure.

9. How does the Republican-led lawsuit on the parole program impact things?

Until there is an injunction or a court ruling against the process, the CHNV parole process is still in place.

Questions from people seeking humanitarian parole

  1. Do I have to live in Haiti right now to be sponsored?

No. As long as you’re a Haitian citizen, you can be living anywhere. 

  1. Can I still be sponsored if I already applied for a regular visa to come to America? 

Yes. Someone can sponsor you for the CHNV parole process while your visa application is pending.

  1. If I receive travel authorization, does that automatically mean I received humanitarian parole? 

No. You can still be denied parole once you arrive in the U.S. Granting parole is at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection.

  1. Can I travel outside of the U.S. if I’m granted humanitarian parole? 

No. Your authorization for travel to the U.S. is a one way ticket. There is a possibility to travel outside the U.S. due to special circumstances with an approved I-131.

  1. How soon can I apply for a work permit after I arrive in America? 

Lawyers advise that you apply for the work permit the day parole status is granted to you. The work permit is the only part of the process that costs a fee – $410.

  1. What resources or benefits are available to me when I first arrive?

Haitian and Cuban entrants in Florida are eligible for benefits through the Cuban/Haitian entrant program the day you are granted humanitarian parole status.

  1. What happens once my parole status ends or my two years are up, whichever comes first? 

In general, a person on humanitarian parole must return to their home country after two years, unless they have an alternative way of remaining in the U.S such as pending adjustment of status, pending asylum or other reliefs/petitions.

14. How soon after I get humanitarian parole can I apply to become a permanent resident? 

Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans cannot apply for permanent resident unless they have a qualifying relative/humanitarian relief, and their immigration history permit them to do so. Cubans can apply for adjustment of status under the Cuban Adjustment Act after being parole and living in the U.S. for one (1) year and day. 

15. Can two different people be my sponsor?

Yes. However, only one application needs to be submitted for the beneficiary. There will be a main supporter and the other supporters will be co-supporters. The co-supporters should add their information on the same I-134A as the main supporter.

16. How long are work permits taking to process?

According to USCIS’ online processing times, work permits under this category vary from 7.5 months and beyond. 

Ashley Miznazi is a Report for America corps member covering the Haitian community in the South Florida/Miami area for The Haitian Times. Her work will heavily feature photography, video and other multimedia storytelling. Previously, Ashley was a multimedia fellow at The Texas Tribune, where she reported on DACA, Afghan resettlement and the foster care system.

Join the Conversation

35 Comments

  1. Feb 04, 2023 at 5:47 am

    I very glad to find your site. Good Job.
    I am Haitian and I am looking for a sponsor for The Parole Program.
    For more informations:
    My first name is Djemson and my last name LEGENDRE.
    I am born the Sept 22, 1992 Cayes / Haití.
    I live in Ave Brefette, Cayes Haití.
    My pasport number is PP467**** and my phone number is: (509) 3787 ****.
    Help me please for realise this great Dream.

    Thank You for your attention.
    God bless You

    The Haitian Times has edited this comment to remove the person’s phone number as a protective measure

    1. Bonjour,je m’apelle mirianne bouché. Je vis en Haiti et je cherche un sponsor pour m,aider a venir Etats-unis dans le Cadre du programme liberation conditionnelle. Mon numero 50936214648

  2. Good afternoon my Lucson. I am living in Haiti and I am seeking a sponsor for to come to the US under the humanitarian parole program to work for 2 years. Your help will be greatly appreciated, and may God bless you.
    This is my WhatsUp # 5094616****

    The Haitian Times has edited this comment to remove the person’s phone number as a protective measure

  3. Good afternoon my name is Elise. I am living in Santo Domingo and seeking a sponsor for myself, my wife, and 2 children to come to the US under the humanitarian parole program to work for 2 years. Your help will be greatly appreciated, and may God bless you.
    This is my WhatsUp #+1 (809) 665-****

    The Haitian Times has edited this comment to remove the person’s phone number as a protective measure

  4. I would like to know if two different persons can sponsor an Haitian in the same time?
    When the two years will be expired, what the new status of the beneficiary ?

  5. Good afternoon
    I would very much like to get the opportunity to get a sponsorship cause it would not only be good for me but for my family as well , at the moment the situation of the country is frustrating, there is an enormous amount of gang and kidnappers and the government doesn’t seem to do anything about it , people are dying because of insecurity, but that’s not the only reason, there is also the jobless part, no matter what you do , you can’t find any job.

  6. I want to participate in the humanitarian visa program, I have no friends I have no family, someone of good will who can help me please

  7. hello i am Sherley Norisme i live in Turkey i am looking for a sponsor please kindly help me

  8. Hello, yes, I want to be part of the party, even if there is a family member, someone who has good volunteers to help. Please let me know when I arrive. I will pay my house and all my bills. I am waiting for your answer. I want to leave Chile, God will

  9. Good evening, I am a young Haitian living in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I am 23 years old. The problem of insecurity is causing great damage in my area. Armed gangs keep the whole area under surveillance. We cannot do any activities. I have finished my classical studies. It’s been 3 years since my father died, an armed gang destroyed my mother’s business, and we live without shelter. I’m writing to ask you to help us with the biden program.

    1. Hi !I reppond name of jesula Chery Alcenat.I Alcenat.I would like to have a free sponsor with my family in order to leave our country Haiti for a period of time because we are so stressed.

    2. Bonjour, je m’apelle Westonde Pierre. Je vis en Haïti et je cherche un sponsor pour m,aider à venir Etats-unis dans le Cadre du programme libération conditionnelle. Mon numéro 509 34898858

  10. Bonjour mwen tap renmen jwenn yon opotinite nan pwogwam nan ensekirité ak la vi chè kap ravaje peyi a

  11. Bonjour, jemerais avoir cette opportunities de paticiper dans le programme immanitaire mais je ne personne de ma famille pour puisse m’aider je suis la premiere tout le reste centre sur moi ,poutant moi je contre sur votre aider still vois plait aide moi parce que c,est vraiment dur pour moi enconomiquement.

  12. Salut! Je suis haïtien, je veux participer au programme humanitair , je n’ai pas d’amis, je n’ai pas de famille. Pour plus d’informations. Mom nom est Denis et mon nom de famille QUERETTE. Je suis né le 20 Août 1997 Port-au-Prince/Haïti. J’habite à Brochette 97#25, Carrefour Haïti. Mon numéro de passeport est: PL545**** et mon numéro de téléphone est :(509)4655****. Aidez- mois s’il vous plaît pour réaliser mes rêves.

    The Haitian Times has edited this comment to remove the person’s phone number as a protective measure

  13. Just a quick question which will benefit all the readers. What is the average waiting time to get an answer from USCIS after submitting the parole application ?

    Thanks a lot.

  14. Good evening, please help. God bless us. We are trying to find someone who will help us. Thank you for taking care of this.

  15. Hi ! Jean Mario Bastien I want to be among the beneficiaries of this family program because in Haiti our country we have no security we are very stressed i have skill telecomunication laptop repairs. backoe-loader driver ect please helps me find the a way to survive whit my family poorest above all thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

  16. Hi ! I want to be among the beneficiaries of this family program because in Haiti our country we have no security we are very stressed i have skill telecomunication laptop repairs. backoe-loader driver ect please helps me find the a way to survive whit my family poorest above all thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

  17. Bon jou tout sponsor yo kap ede moun yo mw kontan anpil pou bontravay nap fer mw tarenmen jwenn yon sponsor ki pou edem tanpri fem yon kado bondye ap beni noutout

  18. You’re doing a fantastic jobs by helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Keep it up ! and May God bless you all !

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