The lawyer Willy Allen, one of the most esteemed experts in immigration law in Florida, explained which group is affected by the recent cancellation of the family reunification parole program for Cuba.
"It affects Cubans who are awaiting their visa in Cuba, requests made by residents for spouses, minor children, single adult children, married adult children, and siblings," Allen specified in a conversation with Cibercuba.
For its part, it does not affect "petitions from American citizens for spouses, fiancés, minor children, or American citizens on behalf of their parents," the lawyer stated, clarifying that "the latter cases were not involved in the family reunification program because they concerned immediate visas."
"Cubans on U.S. soil who arrived under this program are also unaffected as they are protected by the Cuban Adjustment Act," Allen stated.
Those who remain in Cuba without "hope of jumping the number they had" are left behind, he concluded.
Last Friday, the administration of Donald Trump announced the elimination of the family reunification parole program for Cuba, along with those for Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras.
In the case of Cuba, the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program established in 2007 under the administration of George W. Bush (2001-2009) allowed U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for temporary stay permits (parole) for their relatives in Cuba, enabling them to bring them to the United States swiftly.
This allowed family members with approved petitions to enter the United States before their visa was available and, in the case of Cubans, to later take advantage of the Cuban Adjustment Act.
In this regard, immigration attorney Mayron Gallardo emphasized that the measure does not affect family I-130 petitions, which continue to proceed as normal.
What is disappearing is the expedited pathway that allowed thousands of people to bypass years of waiting and enter with a parole while their process was ongoing, he detailed during a dialogue with journalist Mario J. Pentón.
Now that option has been removed, forcing those who wish to emigrate to follow the standard timelines of the consular system.
Filed under:
