Sponsorship of Citizens From Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela

How To Sponsor Refugees From Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela in California

Over the years, political and economic instability has made living in Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela very difficult. Despite strong cultural and familial bonds, many people in these countries go to extreme lengths to build a better life for themselves and their families in the United States.

The U.S. government recognizes the efforts that many Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans go through. In response, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have developed certain programs that allow sponsorship of these individuals to enter the country in a safe and orderly fashion.

Receive California Sponsorship Guidance from Maison Immigration

Humanitarian sponsorship lets Californians sponsor people from specific countries and bring them to safety in the United States, most notably those from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. With these efforts, it can still be a bit confusing to understand the regulations and what you need to do.

In these situations, turn to the immigration lawyers at Maison Immigration. We can answer any question you may have about sponsorship requirements and how you can help those in need make it to California. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation to get the process started.

Why Do Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans Need Sponsorship?

For many people in Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, the circumstances and conditions that they have to go through in their daily lives are totally out of their control. At the same time, these conditions also threaten their safety and the wellbeing of their families. There are a number of different conditions that would cause these people to seek refuge in the United States, but most often include things like:

• Unstable political situations, like when governments oppress their citizens or deny democratic processes, and instances of human rights violations, can push people to look for safety in countries with more stable politics, such as the United States.
• When local economies are frequently in a state of crisis, with high rates of unemployment, rising prices, and few job opportunities, individuals might struggle financially and end up in poverty, which drives them to explore better economic chances in foreign lands.
• Natural disasters and environmental decline, along with not having enough access to basics like food, clean water, and healthcare, can create really tough conditions for people. This makes them seek safety and better living conditions somewhere else.
• If crime and gang violence go up, and personal safety becomes a real concern, individuals and their families might find their home countries too dangerous. This situation forces them to seek a safer place to live.
• When people can’t easily get good healthcare or education, it can affect their well-being and future. So they look for places where these opportunities are better.
• Sometimes, when people are treated unfairly based on things like where they’re from, what they believe in, or how they pray, life can become unbearable. This drives them to find protection and equal rights in other countries.
• When human rights are ignored, like not being able to speak freely or come together peacefully, it creates fear and oppression. This causes individuals to leave for countries that respect these rights.
• Involvement in wars or conflicts, even within their own country or region, can put individuals and families in danger. So, they move to safer places.
• Political turmoil often leads to frequent leadership changes, which in turn makes the political climate and living conditions very unstable.

These situations and reasons can make life hard for people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. They come to the United States for safety, stability, and a better life. Luckily, there are programs to assist these individuals in doing this.

What Programs Are in Place for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans To Enter the United States?

Both the DHS and USCIS work in conjunction with the federal government to create programs that allow nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela a pathway to temporary refuge in the United States. Officially, these individuals are known as:

• Beneficiaries

Currently, beneficiaries aren’t allowed to directly apply for these programs. Rather, they have to be “sponsored” by an individual or group in the United States that are known as “supporters.” Supporters can be any of the following:

• People who are citizens or nationals of the U.S.
• Those who have permanent residency, temporary legal residency, or conditional permanent residency.
• Visitors with legal status (as long as they follow the rules of their status).
• Those who have been granted asylum, refugee status, or parole.
• People given Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• Individuals who have received DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or DED benefits.

How Can You Sponsor a Beneficiary From Cuba Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela in California?

With these guidelines established, if you are currently in California and want to sponsor a beneficiary, you’ll have to follow certain protocols and procedures. To sponsor a beneficiary from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela, you can follow these general steps:

• Providing financial support – As a sponsor, you’ll help the beneficiary with financial support. You’ll fill out a form called Affidavit of Support (Form I-134A). This shows that you have enough money to support the beneficiary and their family. The form asks for information about you and the beneficiary.
• Starting the process – To begin, you submit Form I-134A online through myUSCIS. This starts the sponsorship process. Both you and the beneficiary will be checked to make sure everything is safe and secure.
• Background check and review – USCIS checks both you and the beneficiary. They want to be sure you can really provide the beneficiary with financial help. They also want to keep things safe. USCIS confirms you can support the beneficiary financially.
• Confirmation for the beneficiary – If USCIS says you can be a sponsor, the beneficiary will get instructions to make an online account. They’ll complete certain tasks to show they meet the requirements. This is usually done on myUSCIS.
• Confirming personal information and health – The beneficiary will confirm their personal information and show they meet the requirements. They might need to prove they meet health requirements, including having certain vaccinations.
• Using the CBP One App – The beneficiary will learn how to use the CBP One app. They’ll enter their personal information and put in a picture.
• Travel authorization – After the previous steps, the beneficiary gets a message. It says if CBP (Customs and Border Protection) will let them travel to the U.S. early. This permission is good for 90 days.
• Arriving and getting parole – When the beneficiary arrives at a U.S. entry point, CBP will check them. They might decide to allow the person to enter temporarily, depending on each situation. During this checkpoint process, the person will go through more checks, including fingerprinting. If they pass, they will be granted parole.
• Parole and working – If the beneficiary gets parole, they can stay in the U.S. for up to two years. Typically, they also receive a work authorization that will allow them to get a job during their period of parole.

Obviously, the decision to sponsor a beneficiary in California is an important one, given the circumstances. If you want to ensure you’re prepared for the potential challenges and rewards of helping someone from these countries, you’ll want to gather all the information you can and perhaps seek advice from our team of experienced immigration lawyers at Maison Immigration before making a decision.\

Sponsorship Assistance and Guidance From Maison Law Immigration

At Maison Law Immigration, we can assist you in completing the required paperwork and swiftly bringing your beneficiary to an authorized entry point. For quick and efficient services in sponsoring a family member for temporary parole, get in touch with our team of dedicated immigration lawyers today for a consultation.