Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
Before entering the United States, the person who is outside the country (the Beneficiary) must have a Supporter within the United States, and the process must be initiated by that person… by the Supporter. The Supporter must complete Form I-134A (Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support) and submit the necessary documents to verify that he or she has the necessary financial resources. If USCIS confirms or approves the Supporter’s application, the Beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS to create an online account and verify his/her biographical information, verify his/her immunization status, and, if applicable, verify the relationships between family members traveling together. Once the Beneficiary has verified his/her/their information, USCIS will forward the Beneficiary’s biographical information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for review, processing, and travel authorization. CBP will then forward the travel authorization determination to USCIS for posting to the Beneficiary’s USCIS account.
Who is considered a Supporter?
To be considered a Supporter the person must be:
- Citizen or national of the United States;
- Lawful permanent resident, legal temporary resident, and conditional permanent resident;
- A nonimmigrant in lawful status (U or T Nonimmigrant Status, H1B, etc.);
- Asylee, refugee, and/or a person with a temporary residence permit (parolee);
- A person who was granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS); and
- A person granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
Also, the Supporter must:
- Have passed the background and security check;
- Have demonstrated that they have sufficient financial resources to receive and support the Beneficiary.
The Supporter agrees to provide financial and other support to the beneficiary for the duration of the Beneficiary’s stay, or up to two years. This includes that the Beneficiary has adequate housing and basic necessities; help the Beneficiary access benefits and services (such as obtaining employment authorization, Social Security card, and education); assist the Beneficiary in obtaining employment; and ensure that the Beneficiary’s medical and health care needs are met during his/her/their stay in the United States. The Supporter may support more than one Beneficiary. For example, if a Supporter wishes to sponsor a family of three, the Supporter must complete three separate Forms I-134A (one for each family member).
Service for the Process
- A detailed document checklist;
- Preparation of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter, and Declaration of Financial Support;
- Preparation of Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online (when the Beneficiary has entered the United States);
- Preparation of Form I-912, Fee Waiver Request (if applicable and when the Beneficiary has entered the United States);
- Submission of Form AR-11, Alien Change of Address Card, online (if applicable);
- Translation of civil documents from Spanish to English (additional cost); and
- Case Management and Immigration Paralegal Support while the process is pending.
