Department of Homeland Security to implement Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program

The HFRP Program is an expedited process that will permit those who have petitioned for a family-based visa and been approved to come to the U.S. But a caveat applies: their priority dates must not exceed two years to receive the visas. As of now, under immigration rules an annual cap of 100,000 Haitians admitted to the U.S. is applied, so there are still many with approved petitions that are languishing on waiting lists that extend to over 12 years.

The Obama administration wants to change all that to quicken Haiti's recovery from its 2010 earthquake. Adds Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, "The rebuilding and development of a safe and economically strong Haiti is a priority for the United States." Mayorkas also talked about the U.S.'s disapproval of Haitians journeying to the U.S. across dangerous and illegal seas. He made it clear those people if caught would not be eligible for the HFRP Program and might be repatriated to Haiti.

DOHS said the Immigration and Nationality Act is the legally sanctioned agency that "authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole into the United States certain individuals, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit."

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