Your immigration sponsorship questions answered 

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.

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

No.

3. 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. 

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

No. People on TPS are eligible to be sponsors.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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. 

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.