The Department of Homeland Security DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advance travel authorizations (ATAs) for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan beneficiaries while it reviews the supporter application process.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it continues to accept Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, but no requests will be confirmed until the review of the supporter application process is complete.
“Beneficiaries who have already received an ATA should check their myUSCIS account for updates before making travel arrangements and prior to travel. Individuals with a valid ATA are permitted to travel. ATA processing will restart as soon as possible once this thorough review concludes,” USCIS said.
The U.S. government may grant advance travel authorization to up to 30,000 noncitizens each month to seek parole on a case-by-case basis under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Effective May 17, 2023, under the new review process, USCIS randomly selected about half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, regardless of filing date, from the entire pending workload to review. We will review the other half of the monthly total of Forms I-134A based on when the case was submitted under the first-in, first-out method, which prioritizes the oldest Forms I-134A for review. This is intended to maintain a meaningful and equitable opportunity for all beneficiaries of a Form I-134A to move forward through the process and seek advance travel authorization.
Eligible beneficiaries must:
- Have a supporter in the United States;
- Undergo and clear robust security vetting;
- Meet other eligibility criteria; and
- Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.
USCIS posted here.