On Jan. 6, 2023, DHS began accepting online applications for the Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan programs. The Venezuelan parole process has been open since Oct. 18, 2022. Under these parole programs, nationals of the four countries who are outside the United States may apply for advance permission to travel to the United States and enter through a grant of parole. DHS has lifted the previous cap of 24,000 Venezuelan beneficiaries and will now provide travel authorization to a total of 30,000 beneficiaries per month across the four countries.

The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, has announced two new options for Ukrainians who have fled Ukraine or are seeking a safe haven within the United States due to the Russian war on their country. On April 19, 2022, DHS designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, which would allow Ukrainians who were physically present in the U.S. on April 19, 2022, and meet other requirements to seek temporary lawful status. On April 25, 2022, USCIS opened a new process, “Uniting for Ukraine,” which allows displaced Ukrainians outside the United States to apply for advance permission to travel to the United States and be paroled. This FAQ addresses commonly asked questions about who qualifies for TPS and Uniting for Ukraine, the respective application processes, and basic strategies for assisting Ukrainian clients.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration joined in requesting DHS extend life-saving protections for Bahamians who seek safety in the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Specifically, the organizations request DHS designate Temporary Protected Status for the Bahamas and consider using other humanitarian protections, including prosecutorial discretion and humanitarian parole, for hurricane evacuees.