travel authorization decision from cbp

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On June 21, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the launch of a mobile app that will allow travelers from forty countries to apply for visa-free travel authorization directly on their handheld devices.

CBP recently launched a mobile app to facilitate applications via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), an automated system for determining the eligibility of travelers from certain countries to enter the United States without formal visa stamping at U.S. consulates abroad. The ESTA mobile app is optimized for launching applications, scanning passport images, and uploading video selfies to confirm a traveler’s identity. Approved ESTA authorizations are valid for two years or until a traveler’s passport expires, whichever occurs first.

Until recently, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application was available online only through a CBP website and was not available for completion on smartphones, mobile devices, or tablets. The new ESTA mobile app provides eligible travelers with more options to complete and track the status of their applications, scan and upload documents directly from handheld devices, and receive updates. In its recent go-live  announcement , CBP confirmed that the app provides the following functionality for mobile users to

launch an ESTA application; scan a passport image; have the passport read and confirmed; upload a live video selfie to confirm identity; add personal and travel details to applications; answer eligibility questions; review and submit applications; make changes or updates to applications or profiles; receive notifications and application status updates; and save time by storing preferences and profile details within the app.

CBP confirmed that applications for ESTA authorization are available for citizens or eligible nationals of  Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries  who

have valid passports lawfully issued by VWP countries; currently do not possess visitor visas; are traveling to the United States for tourism or business for stays of ninety days or less; arrive via a VWP-signatory carrier and have return or onward tickets; are travelers with trips that do not terminate in a U.S.-contiguous territory or adjacent island (unless the travelers are residents of one of those areas); do not pose a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States; and have complied with all conditions of any previous admission under the VWP.

ESTA, which CBP established pursuant to the 2008 Visa Waiver Program, is an online application system for determining the eligibility of travelers to enter the United States from certain countries without formal visa stamping at U.S. consulates abroad. CBP created ESTA to provide security review for potential visitors to the United States without requiring visa interviews at U.S. consulates abroad. Until the launch of the mobile app, ESTA applications were available only through a secure public website with an automated form to apply for visa-free travel authorization. The secure site requires biographic, travel, and payment information to determine if an applicant is eligible to travel to the United States without a visa. The online system provides an automated response, and, prior to boarding, an airline carrier will electronically verify with CBP that an approved travel authorization is on file.

An ESTA approval is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever occurs first, and authorizes the traveler to make multiple  business or tourist  trips—each lasting up to ninety days—to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program without having to reapply for entry authorization. Travelers on ESTA must be admissible to the United States and waive any rights to seek review of CBP findings of inadmissibility or appeal removal actions.

The  ESTA website  includes instructions on how to download the app, including a URL to copy/paste into a mobile browser. The ESTA mobile app is available in twenty-four languages on both iOS (Apple) and Android platforms. ESTA’s website still exists to process online applications, and CBP has not announced a decommissioning of the website.

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Inadmissibility waiver- Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant into the United States

•   Inadmissible nonimmigrant already in possession of appropriate documents
• Applicant for T nonimmigrant status; or
• Applicant for U nonimmigrant status.
• Inadmissible nonimmigrant who is in possession of appropriate documents can file the ap plication with CBP in advance of the date of intended travel to the United States. Filing of this application is generally done in person at a CBP- designated port of entry  
• The Citizens of Palau , the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Marshall Islands may contact the nearest consulate of the U.S. Department of State to receive instructions on where and how to submit this form. You may also receive filing instructions by e-mailing the CBP/ARO at  [email protected] .  Attorneys should address their inquiries to:  [email protected] .     
• Nonimmigrants who electronically filed via the Electronic Adjudication Secured Forms Environment ( e-SAFE ) and completed biometrics at ports of entry will receive a confirmation email when the application is submitted to CBP. e-SAFE will allow you to check the status of your application, receive electronic communications, and receive electronic notification of a decision. Processing times will range from 60 to 90 days from the day the biometrics are completed.
• Applicant for T nonimmigrant status and inadmissible must file Form I-192 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at: USCIS Vermont Service Center, 75 Lower Welden Street, St. Albans, VT 05479-0001.
• ​​A pplicant for U nonimmigrant status , regardless of whether you are currently present in or outside the United States, and you are inadmissible, you must file Form I-192 with USCIS at the Vermont Service Center. The address is: USCIS-Vermont Service Center, 75 Lower Welden Street, St. Albans, VT 05479-0001.
• Evidence of your Citizenship.
• Completed Form I-192 signed and submitted by you (no copies).
• A properly executed Form G-28 must be included with the application if you have retained an authorized person to represent you on this specific application.
• U.S. Fingerprint card FD-258 or an electronically captured fingerprints that will be completed by a CBP Officer at the time of submission of your application.
• F orm G-325A   is not needed when filing the most recent version of the  Form I-192 . However, the ARO will continue to accept older versions that still require a  Form G-325A   completed and signed by you.
• If you have a criminal record in any other country's court system, you must obtain a copy of the applicable record or an official letter from the court of jurisdiction stating the reason why a copy of the record is not available.
• A copy of the official court record from the actual court of conviction indicating plea indictment, conviction, and disposition for each and every crime committed anywhere in the world.
• If you are inadmissible to the United States because of a criminal conviction, you should submit a statement in your own words, signed by you, explaining the circumstances of each arrest, conviction, and sentence or fine imposed. In addition, you should submit any evidence or explanation of your reformation of character or rehabilitation such as counseling or rehabilitation programs completed, current employment, marital status, community service etc. or any other information you wish to be considered and you believe strengthens your request.
• If you are inadmissible for one of the “Health Related” grounds identified in the INA, e.g., drug user or addict, you will need to provide evidence of treatment/rehabilitation. See USCIS website .
• If you have been found inadmissible under section 212(a)(9)(B) of the INA (unlawfully present in the United States) please submit detailed information regarding . 
• Current foreign employment.
• Previous U.S. employment.
• Family members presently living in the United States.
• Past and current United States and/or foreign business investments. And any ties you have to your present foreign country/residence.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Family Reunification Parole Processes

Q1. How will USCIS decide who is invited to participate in the family reunification parole processes? We will base our decision on multiple discretionary factors, including the number of requests we can process efficiently and how long a beneficiary may need to wait before an immigrant visa becomes available to them. Invitations will be sent to petitioners on a rolling basis.

Q2. Who is eligible for consideration for parole under the family reunification parole processes? To be eligible for the family reunification parole process:

• You must be a principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative;
• You must be a national of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, or Honduras or the immediate family member of a national of one of these countries; and
• Your Form I-130 petitioner must have received an invitation  to participate in these processes.

Invitations will identify the principal beneficiary and their immediate family members (derivative beneficiaries). This process allows U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident petitioners to initiate a process for their eligible beneficiaries to be considered for parole into the United States while they wait for their family-based immigrant visas to become available. For more information, see the Eligibility section of the  Family Reunification Parole Processes  webpage.

Q3. How long is the period of parole under the family reunification parole processes? Noncitizens granted parole under these processes will generally be paroled into the United States for a period of up to 3 years, if they meet medical and vetting requirements.

Q4. What will happen to Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) cases that were filed using Form I-131 before Aug. 11, 2023, and are now pending processing and interview at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba? USCIS has mailed a notice to petitioners who have a CFRP case pending a beneficiary’s interview in Havana, under a previously submitted  Form I-131, Application for Travel Document . The notice that was mailed to petitioners explains how the CFRP case may proceed and provides important information about updating addresses with USCIS.

If you are a petitioner who previously filed Form I-131 for a beneficiary under CFRP, refer to information on the  Cuban Family Reunification Parole  page for more information.

Q5. How are invitations being issued? The Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) will email invitations to petitioners at their email address of record for the approved Form I-130. If there is no email address of record, the NVC will mail the invitation to the petitioner’s mailing address of record. If you are a petitioner, please make sure the NVC has your current contact information and mailing address. To update your contact information or address, contact the NVC through their Public Inquiry Form .

Invitations will be issued on a rolling basis, based on U.S. government operational capacity, the expected period of time until the principal beneficiary’s immigrant visa becomes available, and in a manner calibrated to best achieve the policy aims of this process. You can use our Invitation Search  tool to check whether an invitation was sent to you.

Q6. How can attorneys fill out Form I-134A for their clients who would like to request to be a supporter and initiate the family reunification parole process on behalf of a beneficiary? There is no option at this time for an attorney or accredited representative to use an online representative account to file a Form I-134A on behalf of a petitioner or submit travel authorization information on behalf of a beneficiary.

Q7. I am an attorney assisting a supporter with Form I-134A. If the petitioner fills out the preparer declaration on the form, can I get information about the petitioner or beneficiary? No. The preparer declaration simply reflects that you helped an individual complete the form. If you are an attorney or accredited representative, you must submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, to USCIS if you wish to receive information about your client’s (the petitioner’s) Form I-134A. We do not currently allow representatives to complete Form I-134A online on behalf of a petitioner using a representative account. However, a representative who has submitted a valid Form G-28 to USCIS separately through a representative account may inquire about their client’s case by contacting the  USCIS Contact Center.

Q8. Can I file Form I-134A by mail? No. You can only file Form I-134A online using a myUSCIS online account .

Q9. Can I submit Form I-134A on behalf of my family member if I live outside the United States? No. The family reunification parole processes are available  by invitation only  to petitioners of approved Form I-130 who have an address that is inside the United States. At this time, invitations will not be sent to petitioners with addresses outside the United States.

Q10. Is there a cost to file Form I-134A? No. There is no fee to file Form I-134A. Neither the petitioner nor the beneficiary needs to pay a fee to file the Form I-134A, obtain a travel authorization, or be considered for parole. After a Form I-134A is confirmed, beneficiaries will need to pay any fees required by their panel physician to complete the required medical examination. Beware of any scams or potential exploitation by anyone who asks for money associated with participation in these family reunification parole processes.

Q11. I want to submit Form I-134A on behalf of a family of 4. Can I file 1 Form I-134A for the entire family? No. You must file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary, including minor children. For example, in the case of a family of 4, you must file 4 separate Forms I-134A.

Q12. Can I use a co-supporter if I cannot establish that I can financially support the beneficiary? Yes. If you cannot establish that you can financially support the beneficiary, you may use co-supporters, who do not need to be a family member. If you are filing Form I-134A with a co-supporter, any co-supporter is subject to the same financial evidentiary requirements as the primary Form I-134A filer. You should submit their financial evidence, such as bank statements, a letter from an employer, and income tax returns. A co-supporter will not file their own Form I-134A, but they do have to demonstrate their ability to support the beneficiary for the duration of the parole period through the evidence that you upload on their behalf. In this case, the petitioner will file a Form I-134A and include supplementary evidence demonstrating the identity of, and resources to be provided by, the co-supporter. You should also attach a statement explaining the intent to share responsibility to support the beneficiary.

If you have 1 or more co-supporters you (and not the co-supporter) must:

• File and electronically sign Form I-134A (a Form I-134A that is electronically signed by someone other than the Form I-130 petitioner will not be confirmed)
• Include supplementary evidence demonstrating the identity of, and resources to be provided by, any co-supporters; and
• Attach a statement explaining that you and any co-supporters intend to share responsibility to support the beneficiary. We will assess the collective ability to support a beneficiary based on the information and evidence you provide.

Q13. Can I agree to support more than 1 beneficiary? Yes. If you received an invitation, you may submit a Form I-134A for the principal beneficiary and a separate Form I-134A for each derivative beneficiary. There is no limit on how many beneficiaries you may agree to support by filing Form I-134A, but we will determine whether you have the financial ability to support all beneficiaries you have agreed to support for the duration of their parole period, which is up to 3 years. Each Form I-134A must be submitted using the petitioner’s same myUSCIS online account. You may also have co-supporters join you to support some or all the beneficiaries.

Q14. What if a derivative beneficiary was not included on the approved Form I-130? Can I submit a Form I-134A on their behalf as a derivative beneficiary? If a principal beneficiary married or had a child after we approved the Form I-130 filed on their behalf, you may also file Form I-134A to request to be a supporter and initiate the family reunification parole process for the principal beneficiary’s spouse or child under age 21 (often referred to as add-on derivatives). Certain circumstances may affect eligibility. Please see the “Eligibility” section of the  Family Reunification Parole Processes  webpage for more information.

The invitation you receive instructing that you may file Form I-134A will not list the add-on derivatives because they were not listed on the Form I-130 that you filed on behalf of the principal beneficiary and we approved. However, you may still file Form I-134A requesting to be a supporter and initiate the family reunification parole process for the add-on derivatives of the principal beneficiary. As with a derivative beneficiary who was listed on the Form I-130, you must submit evidence, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, as part of the Form I-134A to verify the family relationship  between the principal beneficiary and the add-on derivative beneficiary  you are requesting to support. Without evidence of the family relationship between the principal beneficiary and their derivative beneficiaries, the derivative beneficiaries will not be able to proceed through this process. The Form I-134A explains how to upload this evidence. The evidence for both derivative and add-on derivative beneficiaries is uploaded the same way. You must include a full English translation and translator’s certification with any evidence submitted in a language other than English.

Q15. Is there a specific income requirement for Form I-134A under the family reunification parole processes? No. Each potential supporter’s circumstances are unique, and we review financial information provided on Form I-134A about all assets and resources. We use the  Federal Poverty Guidelines , as outlined by the Department of Health and Human Services, as a general guide in determining the ability of the petitioner (and co-supporters, if applicable) to support the beneficiary for the duration of the beneficiary’s anticipated period of parole. When we use the Federal Poverty Guidelines, we consider a petitioner’s and co-supporter’s household size to include the beneficiary listed on the Form I-134A, even if the beneficiary does not intend to live with the petitioner or co-supporter.

Q16. What type of financial proof must I provide? Do I need to provide my tax filings, proof of employment, and bank statement, or can I submit only 1 of these documents? Petitioners should determine what financial information they have about their assets that will help us determine their financial suitability. Some examples of financial evidence may include your federal income tax filing; bank statements; Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from your employer; pay stubs or pay statements from the past few months; and any proof of income coming into your household.

Q17. Will the named beneficiary on my Form I-134A be able to see my financial information, including the evidence that I provide? No. Beneficiaries do not have access to the financial information you submitted to USCIS as proof of your income and assets or any co-supporter’s income and assets.

Q18. Does USCIS consider the beneficiary’s income and financial resources in determining whether their Form I-134A is sufficient? No. When we are determining whether a Form I-134A is sufficient, we do not consider information about the beneficiary’s income or financial resources.

Q19. If I am already in the United States, can I be a beneficiary under these processes? No. To be eligible under a family reunification parole process, a beneficiary must be outside the United States.

Q20. Can I be a beneficiary under these processes if I am residing outside my country of citizenship (Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, or Honduras)? Yes. A beneficiary is not eligible for this process if they are in the United States, but they do not have to be residing in their country of citizenship to be considered for parole under family reunification parole. Immediate family members (derivative beneficiaries and add-on derivative beneficiaries) of the principal beneficiary may be considered for parole under these processes even if they are not a national of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, or Honduras, as long as the principal beneficiary is a national of 1 of those countries.

Q21. Can I be a beneficiary under these processes if I am dual national of a country that DHS does not have a family reunification parole process for? Yes. A principal beneficiary who is a dual national (of countries other than the United States) may be considered for parole under these processes if 1 country they are a national of is Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, or Honduras.

Q22. Does each family member need their own individual myUSCIS online account, including children under the age of 18? No. A separate myUSCIS online account is not necessary for a beneficiary to receive authorization to travel to the United States under the parole processes. Principal beneficiaries can add travel group members to their myUSCIS online account, including their spouses and children under the age of 18, as long as each beneficiary has a confirmed Form I-134A.

For example, after we confirm a Form I-134A for a child and a separate Form I-134A for that child’s parent, the parent, as the principal beneficiary, can add the child to their own travel group through their myUSCIS online account. The principal beneficiary will review and confirm biographic information and complete attestations for travel group members, including the principal beneficiary’s spouse and children. However, once the principal beneficiary completes and submits the attestations for all travel group members including themselves, the principal beneficiary cannot add any other travel group members unless the travel group members are under the age of 18 years old.

Q23. My passport is expired. Do I need to request an extension, or will my expired passport be accepted? All beneficiaries intending to travel to the United States under a family reunification parole process must have a valid, unexpired passport, or a certified extension of the passport validity. If the beneficiary’s government has extended the validity of their passport, the passport expiration date should be the expiration date of the extension. CBP will not authorize travel if a passport or certified extension has expired.

Q24. Can children travel under the passport of their parents? No. Minor children traveling with their parent must have their own passport and may not be included on a parent’s passport.

Q25. Can children under the age of 18 years be paroled into the United States without their parent or legal guardian under these processes? No. Children who are under the age of 18 will only be considered for parole under this process if they are traveling to the United States with and in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.

Parents or legal guardians traveling with a child under the age of 18 should be prepared to provide documentation of their relationship to the child to CBP when they arrive in the United States. Evidence of a parental relationship may include a birth certificate for the child that lists the parent’s name and identity documents for the parent or legal guardian. If this documentation is not available, for the protection and welfare of the child, U.S. law may require that the child be placed in the custody of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Generally, evidence of legal guardianship requires that a legal or administrative process involving the courts or other recognized government entity take place. A power of attorney, written statement, or notarized statement is not a formally recognized arrangement and will not be considered sufficient proof of legal guardianship.

Q26. If I am a beneficiary, do I have to live with my petitioner after I am paroled into the United States? No. Beneficiaries are not required to live with the petitioner who submitted the Form I-134A. However, the petitioner is responsible for providing support beneficiaries may need in addition to financial support for the duration of their parole period, including safe and appropriate housing, health care, transportation, obtaining initial basic necessities, assistance with submitting forms such as the employment authorization application, learning English, securing employment, and enrolling children in school.

Q27. How long will it take between the time a petitioner submits Form I-134A and when a beneficiary is granted travel authorization? Processing times will vary. USCIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are committed to reviewing and processing cases as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible.

During the process, several steps must be completed and will depend on action taken by petitioners and beneficiaries. In the initial part of the process, we will review and provide responses to the petitioner’s Form I-134A as quickly as possible. After we confirm the Form I-134A, we will email the beneficiary with instructions to create a myUSCIS online account and complete the attestation process and required medical examination by a panel physician. In the online account, beneficiaries review their biographic information and complete the necessary attestations for themselves and their children under the age of 18, including the medical attestation which must be completed after each beneficiary completes a required medical exam.

After attestations are complete and the medical exam results are verified, the beneficiary will then receive instructions to download the CBP One mobile app, where they will submit biographic information and a live photo to CBP. After they submit their photo, CBP will vet them to determine whether to issue them an advance travel authorization to the United States to be considered for parole. CBP may then send the advance travel authorization determination to USCIS to be posted to the beneficiary’s USCIS online account. If CBP issues advance authorization to travel, the beneficiary is responsible for arranging and funding their own travel to the United States. If issued, advance travel authorization is generally valid for 90 days, and will post to the beneficiary’s myUSCIS online account.

The status of an advance travel authorization may change at any time as a result of the vetting process. Individuals should monitor their myUSCIS online account frequently for messages and notices from USCIS, and for the most current travel authorization status.

Q28. If processing my Form I-134A is taking longer than expected, what can I do? You can monitor the status of your Form I-134A in your  myUSCIS online account  or check your most recent status in  Case Status Online . Please note that the USCIS Contact Center cannot provide any additional information on the status of your case.

NOTE: Petitioners cannot submit a duplicate Form I-134A for the same beneficiary. We will not accept a duplicate Form I-134A when a Form I-134A filed by the petitioner on behalf of the same beneficiary is already pending.

Q29. Where will my biometrics be collected? Beneficiaries must submit certain biographic and biometric information to DHS for screening and vetting purposes. If a beneficiary receives advance authorization to travel to the United States, upon arrival to a U.S. port of entry, CBP will inspect the beneficiary and ask for additional information, including fingerprints, for further biometric vetting, and then consider them for a discretionary grant of parole.

Q30. What are the medical requirements for beneficiaries under these processes? Each beneficiary must undergo a medical exam and be medically cleared for travel by a panel physician in their country of residence. Beneficiaries must attest to completing the medical exam and having no Class A medical conditions, as determined by the panel physician, before CBP will consider whether to issue advance travel authorization. The beneficiary should not attest to completing the medical exam and having no Class A medical conditions until after they have completed the exam with a panel physician, including any necessary medical treatment, and received the required vaccinations.  Please see the “Medical Exam” section on the Family Reunification Parole Processes webpage for more information and instructions about scheduling a medical exam.

Q31. How long is a travel authorization valid? If approved, the advance travel authorization is valid for 90 days. Beneficiaries are responsible for securing their own travel via commercial air to the United States.

Q32. Do principal and derivative beneficiaries with advance travel authorization need to travel to the United States together? No. However, principal beneficiaries must travel to the United States with or before any derivative beneficiary. Derivative beneficiaries may not be paroled into the United States unless their principal beneficiary has already been paroled into the United States.

NOTE:  Children must travel with their parent or a legal guardian. A legal guardian is an individual who has full custodial rights and obligations with respect to the child, under a formal legal arrangement issued by a government authority, such as a court order. Children who are determined to be unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the port of entry are not eligible for parole under this process. Children who are not traveling with a parent or legal guardian but are coming to the United States to meet a parent or legal guardian who is already present in the United States may instead seek parole through the standard Form I-131 parole process.

Q33. My travel authorization will expire soon, and I have been unable to arrange travel to the United States. Can I request an extension? If, for reasons beyond your control, you (the beneficiary) cannot travel within the 90-day advance travel authorization validity period, your petitioner may submit a one-time request for a 90-day travel authorization extension to USCIS. Only the petitioner who filed the Form I-134A may request a one-time extension of a previously approved advance travel authorization. A beneficiary may not request an extension of their advance travel authorization on their own behalf.

Petitioners must submit the extension request no more than 30 days before, and no more than 30 days after, the expiration date of the original approved advance travel authorization period. Petitioners must request a separate extension for each beneficiary by following the steps below.

To submit the request, a petitioner must:

• Log into their myUSCIS online account;
• From the top of the webpage, select the “My Account” drop-down menu and select “Inbox";
• Click on the “New Message” button;
• For the subject, select “A case already filed online” from the drop-down menu, and for the case receipt number, select the receipt number for Form I-134A; and
• In the message field, state that the petitioner will continue to commit to supporting the named beneficiary who has not yet traveled to the United States and is requesting an extension of the beneficiary’s travel authorization, then click “Send.”

We will review the petitioner’s request for an advance travel authorization extension and submit the request, along with the beneficiary’s information, to CBP to conduct additional vetting. If CBP approves the request, the petitioner will receive an email notification when the extended advance travel authorization notice has been posted to your myUSCIS online account. Please note that for privacy reasons, only you (the beneficiary) will be able to view the extended advance travel authorization notice in your myUSCIS online account. You should notify your petitioner when you receive your extended travel authorization notice.

If your original approved advance travel authorization expires more than 30 days before your petitioner is able to request an extension, your petitioner must submit a new Form I-134A for you to obtain a new advance travel authorization instead. If 30 days pass after expiration while the request is pending, or if you cannot travel to the United States during the one-time 90-day extension, your petitioner must also submit a new Form I-134A.

Q34. Can CBP tell me why they denied advance travel authorization? Due to the secure nature of the vetting and screening process, CBP cannot offer additional information about the process or provide details about the status or result of an advance travel authorization review. If a beneficiary’s advance travel authorization request is denied, CBP cannot explain why. However, you might be denied if you attested to completing your medical requirements before you completed your medical exam with a panel physician or before you were cleared of Class A medical conditions. If your advance travel authorization is still pending, CBP asks you to remain patient while the review continues.

Q35. If I am paroled into the United States under these processes, will I be able to apply for an Advance Parole Document if I need to travel outside the United States? Yes. If a beneficiary is paroled into the United States and wants to apply for an Advance Parole Document before they travel, they should file a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.  An Advance Parole Document will allow you to seek parole into the United States at a port of entry when you return from a trip outside the United States. For more information about advance parole documents, including fees and fee waivers, visit the  Form I-131  webpage.

Please note that obtaining an Advance Parole Document does not guarantee you will be paroled back into the United States. CBP will make a separate discretionary decision on your request for parole when you arrive back at a U.S. port of entry.

Q36. If I am paroled into the United States under a family reunification parole process, will I be automatically authorized to work? No. Parolees under family reunification parole processes do not automatically receive employment authorization. You must file a  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , which can be completed online.

Recognizing that some applicants cannot pay the filing fees, USCIS established a fee waiver process for certain forms and benefit types. We will approve a fee waiver only if you clearly demonstrate that you are unable to pay the filing fees. Visit the  Additional Information on Filing a Fee Waiver  page to learn more.

Q37. If I am approved to travel to the United States as a beneficiary under a family reunification parole process, when can I apply for employment authorization? After you are paroled into the United States, you are eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS. To apply for an Employment Authorization Document, you must submit  Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , using the (c)(11) category code with the required fee or apply for a fee waiver. You may submit Form I-765 through your  myUSCIS online account  with the required fee. However, to request a fee waiver, you must file your paper Form I-765 by mail, along with  Form I-912, Request for a Fee Waiver . You cannot file Form I-912 online through your myUSCIS online account.

Q38. How long will it take to approve my employment authorization application? While processing times will vary depending on the complexities of each case, we encourage online filing because it prevents delays associated with mailing, provides an immediate receipt, and allows you to track the progress of your case online. Paper-filed employment authorizations can also be added to an individual’s online account.

Q39. If I have a question about my case, how can I contact USCIS? The best way to contact us depends on the type of question.

• Technical Assistance with myUSCIS Online Account Access or a Password Reset  – If you have an issue with account access or need a password reset, use our  online need help form .
• Case Status Inquiries – You can monitor the status of your Form I-134A in your  myUSCIS online account  or check your most recent status in  Case Status Online . Please note that the USCIS Contact Center cannot provide any additional information on the status of your case.

USCIS will only accept a case status inquiry if the Form I-134A filed has been pending more than 6 months. This includes inquiries submitted through the secure mailbox in your myUSCIS online account. Please note this is a default time frame for inquiring, and you should not necessarily expect a decision on your Form I-134A in that time frame.

Q40. How can I withdraw a pending Form I-134A if I no longer wish to pursue family reunification parole for my family member? If the Form I-134A is still pending, the petitioner should log in to their myUSCIS online account, go to the Notices tab, and use the Unsolicited Evidence feature to upload a letter they have signed by hand (not an electronically signed letter). The letter must clearly explain that the petitioner would like to withdraw the Form I-134A. The petitioner must keep the original signed letter in case we ask for it later. We will not send a response to the letter. However, we will review the withdrawal request when we select the Form I-134A for review.

If the Form I-134A has already been confirmed, the petitioner cannot withdraw it.

Q41. USCIS has confirmed my Form I-134A but has not yet emailed the beneficiary. What should I do? If a beneficiary has not received emailed notices from USCIS, the petitioner should review the Form I-134A and check whether it provided the correct email address for the beneficiary. If the email address is correct, the beneficiary should check their spam and junk mail folders. If a beneficiary still cannot find the notice, they should call the  USCIS Contact Center . The number for those outside the United States is +1-212-620-3418. Alternatively, the petitioner can send USCIS a secure message through their myUSCIS online account and, after we complete the verification process, we can email the Account Notice to the beneficiary’s email that we have on file.

If the beneficiary’s email address provided on the Form I-134A is incorrect, the petitioner should log in to their myUSCIS online account, go to the Notices tab, and use the Unsolicited Evidence feature to upload a letter the petitioner has signed by hand (not an electronically signed letter). The letter should:

• Explain that the email address for the beneficiary you entered on Form I-134A was incorrect; and
• Request that USCIS update the beneficiary’s email address and send the USCIS Account Notice to the beneficiary’s correct email address.

The letter should list both the original, incorrect email address provided on the Form I-134A and the updated, correct email address for the beneficiary. The petitioner must also keep the original signed letter in case we ask for it later.

Q42. How can I correct information on a Form I-134A that was submitted but is still pending? If the Form I-134A is still pending, you (the petitioner) should log in to your myUSCIS online account, go to the Notices tab, and use the Unsolicited Evidence feature to upload a letter you have signed by hand (not an electronically signed letter). The letter should:

• Explain what information is incorrect;
• List both the incorrect information provided on the Form I-134A and the correct information; and
• Ask USCIS to update the incorrect information.

You also must keep the original signed letter in case we ask for it later. We will not send a response to your letter. However, we will review the correction request and letter when we review your Form I-134A to determine whether it is sufficient and can be confirmed. The record will not reflect the correction until the case is confirmed. Q43. How can I correct information on a Form I-134A that has been confirmed?

Q44. What if I (the beneficiary) received an error code in the CBP One mobile app that says, “Record cannot be found: Check your date of birth, passport and A-Number in your myUSCIS account to ensure they are correct.” What do I do? To address the error and check that your attestations have been properly submitted, you must:

• Log in to your myUSCIS online account and check that your attestations were submitted to CBP. You should see an alert that says: “Your information and attestations were successfully submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).”
• Next, select “View your biographic information” and ensure your date of birth is in the mm/dd/yyyy format and that your passport number is correct.

If you need to correct your passport information or date of birth, or if all your information appears correct and you are still unable to proceed, you should use your myUSCIS account to:

• Upload a copy of your valid, unexpired passport as Unsolicited Evidence in your Notices tab; and
• Send USCIS a message from your inbox. In the message, you must identify the information that is incorrect or indicate that your information appears correct, but you are unable to proceed in the CBP One mobile app.

Q45. Are parolees who came to the United States through a family reunification parole process eligible for REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards? Beneficiaries paroled into the United States are not eligible for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card because parole is not included in the REAL ID Act as a category authorized to receive a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card. However, parolees may be covered by another category eligible for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. For example, an approved or pending application for Temporary Protected Status or asylum can potentially qualify the applicant for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card. In addition, many drivers’ license issuing authorities allow parolees to apply for a driver’s license or ID card that is not REAL ID-compliant. For more information, please see  REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions  and guidance from the Department of Motor Vehicles for the jurisdiction where you live.

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• National Media Release

CBP Releases February 2024 Monthly Update

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released operational statistics today for February 2024. CBP monthly reporting can be viewed on CBP’s Stats and Summaries webpage .

“CBP continues to work with our foreign and domestic partners to enhance enforcement efforts: aggressively targeting unscrupulous human smugglers, and swiftly applying consequences against those who cross the border illegally and have no legal basis to remain in the United States,” said Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner. “Despite the challenges we are facing along the southwest border, as well as the positive trends of increasing levels of trade and travel, CBP continues to surge enforcement to stop dangerous drugs from entering the country; our agents and officers interdicted 294% more methamphetamine, 164% more heroin, and 140% more cocaine in February than January. It is essential that we provide our personnel with the resources they need to continue to expand this critical work.”

CBP continues to work closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to quickly process individuals encountered at the border and remove those who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States, utilizing consequences strengthened by the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule. Since May 12, 2023 and through February 29, 2024, DHS has removed or returned over 593,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom crossed the southwest border, including more than 93,000 individual family members.  Total removals and returns since mid-May exceed removals and returns in every full fiscal year since 2012. The majority of all individuals encountered at the southwest border since January 2021 have been removed, returned, or expelled.

Below are key operational statistics for CBP’s primary mission areas in February 2024. View all CBP statistics online. 

Ensuring Border Security and Managing Migration 

CBP continues to expeditiously process and remove individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the country. We are working together with our domestic and foreign partners to jointly disrupt migration across the region, offering lawful pathways and taking action against ruthless smugglers who continue to spread falsehoods and show disregard for the safety and well-being of vulnerable migrants. We are also working alongside U.S. government partners to target transnational criminal organizations and smugglers who take advantage of and profit from migrants and taking new measures to stop individuals from exploiting traditional travel methods for migration.

In February 2024, the U.S. Border Patrol recorded 140,644 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border.

CBP’s total encounters along the southwest border in February 2024 were 189,922 . Total encounters include U.S. Border Patrol encounters between ports of entry, as well as individuals who presented themselves at ports of entry (including those with CBP One™ appointments, detailed further below).

CBP continually analyzes and responds to changes in migration patterns, particularly irregular migration outside of lawful pathways and border crossings. We work with our federal and international partners to combat human smuggling. The fact remains: the United States continues to enforce immigration law, and our borders are not open for those without a legal basis to enter the country. Migrants attempting to enter without authorization are subject to removal under Title 8 authorities.

The U.S. Border Patrol has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to expand capacity to aid and rescue individuals in distress. To prevent the loss of life, CBP initiated a Missing Migrant Program in 2017 that locates noncitizens reported missing, rescues individuals in distress, and reunifies decedents’ remains with their families in the border region. In February, the U.S. Border Patrol conducted 434 rescues, totaling 2,048 rescues in FY 2024 .  This was the highest monthly rescues total since October.

View more migration statistics and rescues statistics .  

CBP One™ App  

The CBP One™ mobile application remains a key component of DHS’s efforts to incentivize noncitizens to use lawful, safe, humane, and orderly pathways. Generally, noncitizens who cross between the ports of entry or who present themselves at a port of entry without making a CBP One™ appointment are subject to the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule. This rule presumes asylum ineligibility for those who fail to use lawful processes, with certain exceptions. DHS encourages migrants to utilize such pathways, rather than having migrants take the dangerous journey to cross unlawfully between the ports of entry, which also carries consequences under Title 8.

The CBP One™ app allows noncitizens throughout central or northern Mexico who lack documents sufficient for admission to the United States to schedule an appointment and remain in place until presenting at a preferred port of entry for their appointment, reducing migrants’ need to crowd into immediate border areas. Use of the CBP One™ app to schedule appointments at ports of entry has increased CBP’s capacity to process migrants more efficiently and orderly while cutting out unscrupulous smugglers who endanger and profit from vulnerable migrants.

In February, CBP processed more than 42,100 individuals through appointments at ports of entry utilizing advanced information submitted in CBP One™. CBP One™ appointments accounted for 86% of noncitizens processed at ports of entry, demonstrating that noncitizens will follow an orderly process when one is available. Since the appointment scheduling function in CBP One™ was introduced in January 2023 through the end of February 2024, more than 501,000 individuals have successfully scheduled appointments to present at ports of entry using CBP One™ instead of risking their lives in the hands of smugglers. The top nationalities who have been processed are Haitian, Mexican, and Venezuelan.

A percentage of daily available appointments are allocated to the earliest registered CBP One™ profiles, so noncitizens who have been trying to obtain appointments for the longest time will be prioritized. CBP is continually monitoring and evaluating the application to ensure its functionality and guard against bad actors.  

CHNV Parole Processes

On January 5, 2023, DHS announced processes providing certain Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who have a supporter in the United States, undergo and clear robust security vetting, and meet other eligibility criteria, to come to the United States in a safe, orderly, and lawful way. These processes were built on the success of the process for Venezuelans; they are publicly available online, and DHS has been providing regular updates on their use to the public. This is part of the Administration’s strategy to combine expanded lawful pathways with stronger consequences to reduce irregular migration and have kept hundreds of thousands of people from migrating irregularly.

In a decision March 8, 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas dismissed a lawsuit to stop the use of processes described above for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. The decision allows the United States to continue granting advance travel authorization to up to 30,000 noncitizens each month to seek parole on a case-by-case basis.

Through the end of February 2024, over 386,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans arrived lawfully and were granted parole under the parole processes. Specifically,  81,000 Cubans,  156,000 Haitians,  71,000 Nicaraguans, and  97,000 Venezuelans were vetted and authorized for travel; and 79,000 Cubans,  151,000 Haitians,  64,000 Nicaraguans, and  91,000 Venezuelans arrived lawfully and were granted parole.

Safeguarding Communities by Interdicting Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

As the largest law enforcement agency in the United States, CBP is uniquely positioned to detect, identify, and seize illicit drugs before they enter our communities. CBP’s combination of interdiction and intelligence capabilities, complemented by its border search authorities, scientific services, non-intrusive inspection equipment, and canine detection teams, places it at the forefront of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat illicit fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.

CBP continues to conduct operations, including Operation Apollo, which target the smuggling of illicit fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. These operations leverage intelligence and investigative information to target drug traffickers’ supply chains and interdict items required in the production of illicit fentanyl, including precursor chemicals, pill presses and parts, movement of finished product, and illicit proceeds.

Nationwide in February, seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana (combined, by weight) increased 118% from January. This included a 294% increase in methamphetamine seizures, a 164% increase in heroin seizures, and a 140% increase in cocaine seizures.

To date in FY 2024 through February, CBP has seized 8,447 pounds of fentanyl. CBP has stopped more fentanyl in the last two years than in the previous five years combined, and we continue to optimize our intelligence and field operations to stop these deadly substances from reaching American communities. 

Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found on the Drug Seizure Statistics webpage .

Facilitating Lawful Trade and Travel 

  As international travel continues to increase, CBP is leveraging technology to streamline efficiency and increase security at air and land ports of entry. Travelers are encouraged to utilize CBP’s mobile apps to enhance their travel experience, including the Global Entry Mobile Application and Mobile Passport Control , as well as new Global Entry Touchless Portals at nearly all international airports across the United States, which protect passenger privacy and expedite arrival processing by eliminating paper receipts.

Travelers arriving by air into the United States increased 16% from February 2023 to February 2024, passenger vehicles processed at ports of entry increased by 5.8% , commercial truck traffic increased by 6.2% , and pedestrians arriving by land at ports of entry increased 8.8% over the same period.  

CBP works diligently with the trade community and port operators to ensure that merchandise is cleared as efficiently as possible and to strengthen international supply chains and improve border security. In February 2024, CBP processed more than 2.6 million entry summaries valued at more than $255 billion , identifying estimated duties of nearly $6.5 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. In February, trade via the ocean environment accounted for 40.8% of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail.

View more travel statistics , and trade statistics . 

Protecting Consumers, Eradicating Forced Labor from Supply Chains, and Promoting Economic Security     

CBP continues to lead U.S. government efforts to eliminate goods from the supply chain made with forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. In February, CBP stopped 540 shipments valued at more than $306 million for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor.

Intellectual property rights violations continue to put America’s innovation economy at risk. Counterfeit and pirated goods threaten the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, the livelihoods of American workers, and the health and safety of consumers.

Consumers are encouraged to be alert to the dangers of counterfeit goods especially when shopping online as they support criminal activity, hurt American businesses, and often have materials or ingredients that can pose serious health and safety risks. Every year CBP seizes millions of counterfeit products worth billions of dollars had they been genuine. In February, CBP seized 1,645 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $345 million. More information about CBP’s intellectual property rights enforcement is available at https://www.cbp.gov/trade .

CBP is on the frontline of textiles and trade agreements enforcement, combating textile imports that are not compliant with U.S. trade laws. Protecting the domestic textile industry and American consumers is vital to U.S. national security, health care, and economic priorities. Toward this end, CBP is intensifying its targeting and enforcement efforts to increase and expedite the prosecution of illegal customs practices. CBP’s efforts include de minimis compliance, forced labor enforcement, cargo compliance, regulatory audits, and public awareness. 

View more UFLPA enforcement statistics , and intellectual property rights enforcement statistics. 

Defending our Nation’s Agricultural System     

Through targeting, detection, and interception, CBP agriculture specialists work to prevent threats from entering the United States.  

CBP issued 6,622 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States in February 2024. CBP conducted 92,528 positive passenger inspections and issued 8 58 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.   

View more agricultural enforcement statistics . 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.