New entry process for Venezuelan nationals announced

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new process to allow up to 24,000 qualifying Venezuelans to safely travel to the U.S. via parole.

Key Points:

• As of Oct. 12, qualifying Venezuelan nationals will be able to apply to temporarily live in the U.S. and apply for work authorization if they:
  • Have a supporter in the U.S. who will provide financial and other support.
  • Pass biometric and biographic national security and public safety screening and vetting.
  • Have received required vaccinations and meet other health requirements.
• Venezuelan nationals will be ineligible for the new entry process if they:
  • Have been ordered to be removed from the U.S. in the past five years.
  • Crossed between ports of entry without authorization after Oct. 12.
  • Irregularly entered Mexico or Panama after Oct. 12.
  • Are a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than Venezuela or hold refugee status in another country.
• Venezuelans should not travel to Mexico to enter the U.S., DHS stated. Venezuelan nationals who cross the southern between ports of entry will be returned to Mexico.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will provide additional information on the new entry process for Venezuelan nationals on this website in the coming days.

BAL Analysis: DHS introduced the new entry process for Venezuelan nationals to reduce the number of people arriving at the U.S.’s southwest border and create a safer process for those fleeing the humanitarian and economic crisis in Venezuela. DHS described this process as “derived from the success of the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program.”

This alert has been provided by BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.