Updates for Children Under Uniting for Ukraine and the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

Uniting for Ukraine and the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans provide a pathway for qualifying individuals and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole.  

On Sept. 20, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that parents and legal guardians residing in the United States, whose children are living outside the United States, may seek consideration for parole for their children under Uniting for Ukraine or the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Children under age 18 must meet certain eligibility requirements to be considered for parole under these processes, including: 

• Having an eligible U.S.-based supporter who files Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, on their behalf; and 
• Traveling to a U.S. port of entry in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian. Note: Certain parents and legal guardians based in the United States, who are not eligible to be considered for parole under these processes themselves because they are already in the United States, may leave the United States to accompany their children into the United States if they have documentation or authorization to reenter the United States. This documentation may include proof of U.S. citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residence, or an Advance Parole Document (Application for Travel Document, Form I-131).  

• Lawful status in the United States or be a parolee or beneficiary of deferred action or DED; 
• Evidence of their parental relationship to, or legal guardianship of, the children they are seeking consideration for parole under these processes, (see Step 5, below, for types of evidence that may be provided); and 
• Documentation or authorization to return to the United States after a trip outside the United States. Parolees and beneficiaries of deferred action or DED may apply for an Advance Parole Document using category 1.d. on Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.  

Steps in the Process for Supporters 

Step 1: An eligible supporter based in the United States files Form I-134A on behalf of the child seeking to reunite with a parent or legal guardian in the United States. To learn more about the eligibility requirements to be a supporter under these processes, visit our Uniting for Ukraine or Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans pages. If we confirm the Form I-134A, supporters should go to Step 2. 

Step 4: Click on ‘New Message.’  

• For the subject, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu. 
• For the case receipt number, select the receipt number for Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support.  
• In the message field, supporters must state they are writing on behalf of a child under age 18 who may be eligible for these processes and who has a parent or legal guardian based in the United States who can leave and reenter the United States to accompany their child into the United States.   

 Step 5: Upload required documents.

• Evidence of the relationship between the U.S.-based parent or legal guardian and the child seeking parole through these processes. Evidence may include a birth certificate for the child and identity documents for the parent or legal guardian. Generally, evidence of legal guardianship also requires a legal or administrative process involving the courts or other recognized government entity; a power of attorney or written or notarized statement is not sufficient to establish legal guardianship.  
• Evidence that the parent or legal guardian has the documentation or authorization to reenter the United States after temporary travel outside the United States. This documentation may include proof of U.S. citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residence, or advanced parole for parolees (Application for Travel Document, Form I-131).  
• A signed statement affirming that the parent or legal guardian will accompany the child to the United States and provide care and physical custody of the child in the United States.
• Full English language translations for any documents submitted to USCIS that contain foreign language. A translator must certify that they are complete and accurate, and you must include the translator’s certification that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. 

Do Not Submit Duplicate Filings of Form I-134A 
If any U.S.-based supporter has already submitted Form I-134A under these processes for a child under age 18 who has an eligible parent or legal guardian residing in the United States, do not submit a new Form I-134A. Instead, send us a secure message following steps 2-5 above. We will not accept a duplicate Form I-134A for the same beneficiary if a previously submitted Form I-134A between the same potential supporter and beneficiary is pending. The best way to check the status of a case is through the supporter’s USCIS online account.