Humanitarian Parole Sponsorship

CWS supports sponsor groups welcoming newcomers through both the Uniting for Ukraine and Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans pathways. Each of these populations—Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans—are fleeing dangerous circumstances such as war, food and medical shortages, gang violence, government oppression, and other tragedies that have made their homelands unsafe.

The U.S. government established Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) and Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) to provide a safe, legal pathway for these populations to come to the United States. Program beneficiaries receive humanitarian parole status, which is a legal, temporary status for a duration of two years. Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans must have US-based sponsors in order to receive authorization to travel to the US.

Groups wishing to sponsor through U4U or CHNV can choose to partner with CWS as a CWS Private Sponsor Group (PSG). As a CWS PSG, a group will be able to utilize the expertise of resettlement agency staff via remote technical assistance and support. CWS recruits, trains, and supports sponsor groups throughout the first 3-6 months of the sponsorship period so that they can help these displaced populations achieve stability in the U.S.

CWS-partnered sponsor groups move through the following process:

Learn more about the process and responsibilities of sponsorship

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages the application for private sponsorship, known as Form I-134A. (Instructions about completing this form can be found on the USCIS webpage.) In order to approve an application, USCIS requires evidence that a sponsor could financially support a newcomer for the duration of parole based on federal poverty guidelines. This evidence (via paystubs, tax returns, bank statements, or other records) can come from one individual, a group, or an organization.

U4U and CHNV beneficiaries are eligible to work in the United States. A sponsor group’s responsibilities include assisting beneficiaries with their work authorization application and finding employment opportunities. Because of anticipated wait times for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), CWS advises sponsors to prepare to cover living expenses such as rent and utilities for up to six months, particularly for Nicaraguan and Venezuelan beneficiaries.

Certain beneficiaries qualify for resources that will assist them financially. Ukrainian beneficiaries are eligible to work immediately upon arrival in the US. Cuban and Haitian beneficiaries are eligible to apply for federal benefits, including cash assistance and SNAP.

Humanitarian parolees do not receive government resettlement funds or funded airfare. Travel costs will need to be covered either by the sponsor or the beneficiary. CWS advises that sponsors do not send money overseas to potential beneficiaries.

If a group does not already have someone in mind to sponsor, they can be matched with potential beneficiaries on the Welcome Connect platform. Welcome Connect is a matching platform supported by Welcome.US, an organization committed to empowering Americans to welcome and support people seeking refuge in the United States. The Welcome Connect platform hosts sponsor profiles that beneficiaries can search and select from based on their resettlement preferences.

CWS Private Sponsor Groups commit to providing resettlement tasks to support newcomers. CWS staff will be working with Private Sponsor Groups remotely, while Private Sponsor Groups provide on-the-ground services for newcomers, including:

Securing affordable housing (e.g., can be subsidized long-term by the sponsor; is affordable on a minimum-wage salary; etc.)
Furnishing housing and completing a home safety check
Meeting beneficiaries at the airport with appropriate interpretation
Providing a culturally appropriate ready-to-eat meal upon arrival
Conducting a home orientation
Providing pocket money (as needed)
Providing seasonally appropriate clothing (as needed)
Supplying groceries until benefits and/or employment are secured
Ensuring all adults have working cell phones
Facilitating cultural orientation
Assisting beneficiaries with the following (as applicable):
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Social Security card application
- Public benefits application
- Selective Service application
- School enrollment
- Change of address forms
- Medical appointments
- English language program enrollment
- Employment services enrollment
- Opening a bank account
- Transportation
- Connection to pro- or low-bono legal services

CWS Private Sponsor Groups commit to support beneficiaries with these services for at least 90 days. A comprehensive guide for completing these services, along with weekly technical assistance sessions, will be provided by CWS staff.

The timeline of support from sponsors will vary based on individual beneficiary needs, community resources, processing time for government forms, and other factors. Generally, a PSG should expect to financially support a beneficiary until after the beneficiary is able to begin working.

However, even after reaching financial stability, many newcomers still need social integration support for up to a year or more. Sponsors should be prepared to assist with more complicated aspects of life in the US, such as navigating the healthcare system or renewing public benefits, as needed for this longer duration. CWS staff work with PSGs to create a self-sufficiency plan that can guide service delivery even after hands-on staff support ends.

Learn more about sponsoring Humanitarian Parolees

Interested in learning more about sponsoring Humanitarian Parolees? Fill out the interest form below.

Interest Form