Understanding Form I-134A: Request to Be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support

IMPORTANT Update on Form I-134A: Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.

What Is Form I-134A?

Form I-134A is an online request used to declare financial support for beneficiaries seeking parole in the United States. This form is part of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) process, allowing U.S.-based individuals to support beneficiaries from countries such as Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and others. The goal is to ensure that these beneficiaries can live in the U.S. without needing public financial support.

The form serves beneficiaries under various humanitarian programs:

  • Ukrainian nationals and their families as part of the Uniting for Ukraine initiative.
  • Individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and their families, through specific parole processes.
  • Family reunification for other nations like Colombia and Ecuador under the National Visa Center's invitation-only processes.

Key Points for Sponsors

  • Eligibility: Only U.S.-based sponsors can file Form I-134A. Each sponsor must file a separate form for each beneficiary, including minor children.
  • Responsibility: Sponsors agree to provide financial support, covering living expenses and ensuring that the beneficiary does not rely on public benefits.
  • Documentation: Both the sponsor and the beneficiary need to provide accurate documentation, including proof of relationship, especially for children under 18.

Recent Developments and Fraud Prevention Efforts

In mid-2024, USCIS temporarily paused portions of its humanitarian parole programs for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, citing widespread fraud. Some of the key fraud indicators involved:

  • Sponsors submitting applications using fake or deceased Social Security Numbers.
  • Repeated use of identical addresses across thousands of applications.
  • Suspicious IP addresses responsible for large volumes of submissions.

To protect the integrity of the system, USCIS is now carefully reviewing applications under new procedures. The updated process ensures only legitimate applications proceed, and fraudulent ones are filtered out.

What You Should Do as a Sponsor

If you're filing Form I-134A, make sure your application is accurate and complete. USCIS will closely examine your financial details and verify that you can support your beneficiary. Submitting false information or incomplete documentation can cause delays or lead to a denial.

Certified translations are essential if your supporting documents are in a foreign language. At Certling, we provide certified translations that meet USCIS requirements, helping ensure that your application process goes as smoothly as possible.

For more on how to file Form I-134A and current USCIS updates, visit the official USCIS page.

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