USCIS Establishes Family Reunification Parole Process for Ecuador

Last Wednesday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the implementation of a new Family Reunification Parole (FRP) process for Ecuador. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy to enhance legal pathways and reinforce enforcement for immigration control, this invitation-only process allows eligible beneficiaries from Ecuador to be considered for parole into the United States on a case-by-case basis while waiting for their family-based immigrant visas. The initiative, which began on November 17, 2023, aims to expedite family reunification and provide a safer alternative to irregular migration. The process applies to certain Ecuadorian nationals with an approved Form I-130, and invitations are initiated by the Department of State to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who filed the petition. USCIS will utilize Form I-134A for this process. Parole will be granted based on urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons, allowing beneficiaries to be considered for up to three years. They also have the option to request employment authorization while awaiting their immigrant visas. Further details on the application process and eligibility criteria can be found in the Federal Register notice. This announcement aligns with the Administration’s broader strategy for establishing safe and orderly migratory pathways.