travel group member uscis

• English FAQ

COMMON PROBLEMS AFFECTING FORM I-134

Currently, all Form I-134s are receiving the expedited review, so you do not need to request this service. If your inquiry has not yet been resolved, please review the information below which addresses common issues impacting Forms I-134 and identifies steps you can take to resolve certain errors:

The beneficiary’s date of birth or passport expiration date on their travel authorization notice is incorrect by one day.

• The incorrect information was caused by a technical issue which has been resolved. USCIS communicated the situation to CBP and there is a process to make corrections when beneficiaries arrive at a U.S. port of entry.
• CBP will make the correction at the port of entry when the beneficiary presents their valid, unexpired passport to CBP.
• When the beneficiary presents their travel authorization letter containing the error and a valid, unexpired passport with correct information to CBP at the U.S. port of entry, CBP will accept the travel authorization letter and correct the erroneous date.
• No new travel authorizations will be issued due to this technical problem.
• There is no need to contact USCIS.

The beneficiary is unable to view their travel authorization notice in their online account.

• The technical cause of this issue has been resolved.
• Affected beneficiaries should log back into their online account to view their travel authorization notice.
• Log into your online account, select the  MyAccount  dropdown, then select  Inbox
• Select “ New message ” then “ A case already filed online ” for the subject line.
• Select your receipt number for Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support from the drop-down menu.
• Explain in your message that you are unable to see your Travel Authorization letter in your online account.
• If you have travel group members, the travel authoriza:ons for all group members may not be available at the same time. Continue to check your account for the travel authorization for your group members.

The supporter provided the wrong email address for the beneficiary.

As a result, the beneficiary is unable to receive their Account Notice required to access their case information in their online account

The supporter should log into their USCIS online account, go to the Notices tab, and use the Unsolicited Evidence feature to upload a letter they have signed by hand (not electronically) explaining:

• the email address they entered on the Form I-134 for the beneficiary was incorrect; and
• request that USCIS update the beneficiary’s email address and send the USCIS Account Notice to the beneficiary’s correct email address.

Note:  the supporter’s letter should list both the original email address provided on the Form I-134 and the new, updated email for the beneficiary. The supporter also must retain the original signed letter in the event USCIS asks for the original at a later time.

• Log into your online account, select the MyAccount dropdown, then select Inbox. Select “New Message,” then “A case already filed online”;
• Then select your receipt number for Form I-134, Declara:on of Financial Support from the drop down menu; and
• State in the message that the beneficiary’s email address needs to be changed and that you have uploaded unsolicited evidence. The email message should include the original email address and the new, updated email address for the beneficiary.
• USCIS will review the request, make appropriate updates, and issue the beneficiary a copy of the USCIS Account Notice using the new, updated email address. USCIS will also no:fy the supporter by email that the issue has been resolved.

The supporter provided incorrect biographic data for the beneficiary, and the beneficiary is unable to correct the error in their online account

• Note: if you have completed the pre-travel attestations and submitted your information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP will not issue a new travel authorization notice that reflects the updated information.
• When the beneficiary creates their online account, they are able to edit certain fields when they complete their biographic information confirmation
• For fields that cannot be edited, we will send a second email notification with instructions on how to correct the error.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What is the sum of 2 and 7? (Required)

Leave the field below empty!

Send Message

My favorites.

• Legal Updates
• FAQs on U.S. Immigration Options
• Resources in the United States
• Resources Outside of the U.S.
• Legal Assistance Providers

Important Instructions for Children and Non-Ukrainian Citizen Family Members Applying for Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Travel Authorization

USCIS recently changed the procedures for certain beneficiaries applying for Uniting for Ukraine travel authorization. Minor children under 18 years old and non-Ukrainian citizen family members are no longer able to submit their own biographical information or attestations from their own beneficiary accounts .

Children under 18 years of age may only be eligible for Uniting for Ukraine travel authorization if they travel to the United States with a parent or legal guardian. Learn more about the requirements for traveling with minor children in our article here .

Non-Ukrainian family members may only be eligible for Uniting for Ukraine if they travel to the United States with a Ukrainian citizen immediate family member. For purposes of Uniting for Ukraine, immediate family members include:

• the spouse or common-law partner of the non-Ukrainian citizen
• the parent or legal guardian of an unmarried child under the age of 21

Once the sponsor’s application has been approved, all the named beneficiaries will receive a confirmation notice from USCIS. They should also receive an account notice explaining how to create a USCIS account to add their information and link their confirmed I-134A.

For travel groups that include minor children (under 18 years old) and/or non-Ukrainian citizen family members, an adult Ukrainian citizen must be designated as the primary beneficiary. For purposes of Uniting for Ukraine, a Ukrainian citizen minor child cannot be the primary beneficiary of a travel group.

After all the beneficiaries have received confirmation notices and created USCIS accounts, the primary beneficiary must first add the other approved beneficiaries to the primary beneficiary’s travel group .

After all the other beneficiaries have been added to the primary beneficiary’s travel group, the primary beneficiary then needs to complete the biographical information and submit the required attestations (including health attestations) for all the other beneficiaries BEFORE the primary beneficiary submits their own biographical information and attestations.

Caution: If the primary beneficiary does not submit the other beneficiaries’ biographical information and attestations BEFORE submitting their own biographical information and attestations, the other beneficiaries will NOT be able to apply for travel authorizations on their own! It is important that primary beneficiaries do not submit their own biographical information and attestations without first submitting the other beneficiaries’ biographical information and attestations.

For more information on Uniting for Ukraine eligibility and procedures, visit the USCIS Uniting for Ukraine page here:

https://www.uscis.gov/ukraine

Please note that children under the age of 18 who are traveling without their parent or legal guardian are not eligible for Uniting for Ukraine . Children who are not traveling with a parent or legal guardian but are coming to the United States to meet a parent or legal guardian may instead seek parole through the standard Form I-131, Application for Travel Document process.

Photo by Westwind Air Service on Unsplash .

The content on this website is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to be taken as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. This website and its content are property of the Ukraine Immigration Task Force and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. By using this website, you agree to abide by our Terms of Use.

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Need help? Visit a USCIS office

We want your feedback, citizenship.

• Sign In Create Account
• Create Account
• Find a doctor
• Find an English or citizenship class
• Learn about the naturalization process
• Learn about citizenship rights and responsibilities
• Schedule an appointment

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Knowledge Article

New process that allows Venezuelans and their immediate family members to come to the United States

• Have a supporter in the United States.
• Pass rigorous biometric and biographic screening
• Clear vetting security checks
• Comply with all additional requirements, including vaccination requirements and other public health guideline
• Correct date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy vs. dd/mm/yyyy)
• Correct passport number
• Clear and legible international passport
• Correct spelling of name
• Correct email address for supporter and beneficiary
• Process for Venezuelans on USCIS.gov - https://www.uscis.gov/venezuela
• U.S. Department of State: https://www.state.gov/visas/
• CBP One Mobile Application PDF

Article Number

Date Published

Ask a Question

Submit a Complaint

Submit a Compliment

Report Illegal Activities

Additional Information

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.

MOSCOW - RUSSIA

Ewf b.v east west forwarding.

Edelveis, Right Entrance, 2nd Floor Davidkovskaja, 121352 Moscow, Russia

• Phone: +7 495 938-99-66
• Mobile: +7 495-997-0977
• Fax: +7 495 938-99-67
• email: [email protected]
• web: www.eastwestforwarding.com

Company Profile

• LIST WITH US

To: EWF B.V EAST WEST FORWARDING

Enter the security code:

+7 495 938-99-67

+7 495-997-0977

+7 495 938-99-66

Directory of Freight Forwarders, Cargo Agents, Shipping Companies, Air, Ocean, Land, Logistics and Transportation Brokers

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Create Account

Hearing on “After Apprehension: Tracing DHS Responsibilities after Title 42” before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on September 6, 2023

TESTIMONY OF Andrew Davidson Acting Deputy Director U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services U.S. Department of Homeland Security For a Hearing BEFORE United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs  ON “ After Apprehension: Tracing DHS Responsibilities after Title 42 ” September 6, 2023  Washington, DC

Introduction

Chair Sinema, Ranking Member Lankford, Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today, together with my colleagues from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to discuss how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processes noncitizen encounters at the Southwest Border (SWB). My name is Andrew Davidson, and I am the Acting Deputy Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). My testimony will describe the role of USCIS at the Southwest Border, and particularly how USCIS processes noncitizens in CBP and ICE custody and has operationalized the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways (CLP) rule.

USCIS administers the nation’s lawful immigration system, including the adjudication of affirmative asylum claims and applications for refugee status. USCIS employees work shoulder- to-shoulder with their ICE and CBP colleagues—from conducting protection screening interviews at DHS facilities to coordinating on national security and public safety issues. USCIS has a proud history of providing immigration benefits to eligible individuals from all over the world. These benefits support the fundamental values and needs of our nation, be they economic, humanitarian, or otherwise in the public interest. USCIS delivers these benefits while being ever vigilant for those who seek to undermine the integrity of our immigration system—or worse, those who seek to do us harm. USCIS is only able to accomplish its complex and vital mission through the efforts of its thousands of dedicated public servants who each day administer a complex immigration system fairly and professionally.

Asylum and Credible Fear Claims

For more than a decade, the steadily rising influx of migrants across the Southwest Border has resulted in significant increases in apprehensions and the number of noncitizens placed into the expedited removal process. USCIS screens individuals for credible fear in some situations as part of the expedited removal process and plays an important role in ensuring that potential asylees or victims of torture are not improperly returned to their home countries in contravention of our laws and those who are found ineligible are expeditiously removed. Our specially trained asylum officers conduct screening interviews for noncitizens who express a fear of return or otherwise express a fear of persecution or torture or indicate an intention to apply for asylum during the expedited removal process. The screening interview is conducted in order to determine whether the noncitizen has a credible fear of persecution or torture. Noncitizens who meet the credible fear threshold may either have their asylum applications retained by USCIS for an Asylum Merits Interview or may be placed in removal proceedings in immigration court, where they can apply for asylum or other relief or protection. Individuals found not to have a credible fear of persecution or torture may request review of that finding by an immigration judge.

Over the last 10 years, as irregular migration to the Southwest Border has increased, the number of credible fear referrals to USCIS has climbed sharply as well. Approximately 35,000 detained credible fear cases were referred to USCIS in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013; USCIS has seen the number of detained credible fear cases referred more than triple to approximately 107,000 so far in FY 2023 as of August 11, 2023. About 51,000 of those cases have been received since May 12, 2023, after the expiration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Title 42 public health order and the return to processing all noncitizens under longstanding Title 8 immigration authorities. USCIS has pursued a number of strategies to address this increased caseload, including:

• Significantly expanding asylum officer staffing from 283 authorized positions in FY 2013 to 1,128 authorized positions in FY 2023;
• Maintaining remote interview and adjudication capability that enables asylum officers to process credible fear cases from any location;
• Bolstering credible fear staffing this fiscal year by providing refresher training on credible fear processing to several hundred USCIS employees who had been previously protection trained, thereby increasing the pool of credible fear-trained personnel;
• Deploying over 340 of these employees from other parts of USCIS to interview the credible fear caseload to supplement our permanent asylum officer corps ; and
• Most recently, cultivating a new volunteer pool of current USCIS employees interested in conducting credible fear screening, 275 of whom are currently engaged in specialized training scheduled to conclude on September 6, 2023, at which time they will join the force of credible fear-trained personnel.

Our ability to process credible fear claims in a timely manner saves valuable DHS detention resources and enables the entire expedited removal process to operate more efficiently. USCIS remains strongly committed to supporting the government-wide response to the migration flows on the Southwest Border, including ensuring those who seek protection are provided the opportunity to have those protection claims heard.

At the same time, USCIS remains committed to detecting and deterring immigration fraud, including within asylum and humanitarian benefits. The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) has embedded teams at each of the 11 asylum offices. These local teams conduct pre-interview screening, provide onsite consultation to asylum officers interviewing applicants, analyze trends and large-scale fraud schemes, and serve as local liaisons to interagency law enforcement partners. Many local FDNS teams also include an intelligence research professional to monitor trends and conduct specialized analysis. USCIS continues to lead an interagency asylum fraud working group with partners from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, CBP, Department of Justice, and Department of State. In recent years, USCIS has supported multiple successful criminal prosecutions and convictions involving asylum fraud, further demonstrating the Department’s commitment to ensuring the overall integrity of the immigration system.

Post-Title 42 Order Processing

Over the past few months, DHS has implemented new measures to humanely manage the Southwest Border by enforcing our immigration laws while expanding safe, orderly, and lawful immigration pathways. This comprehensive approach was outlined in the DHS six pillar plan issued in April 2022 , and updated in December 2022  and most recently in May 2023 . One of the enforcement measures implemented to support these pillars is the enhanced use of expedited removal. To ensure that expedited removal – including the credible fear process – is carried out fairly, efficiently, and quickly, USCIS worked with ICE and CBP to digitize parts of the credible fear processes and reallocated staffing resources so that hundreds of additional personnel were available to process credible fear interviews. Additionally, certain noncitizen populations are now processed for expedited removal while they are in CBP or ICE facilities within days or just a few weeks after they were encountered. Through these measures, DHS is able to provide relief more quickly to those who are eligible and remove those who are not. Through these measures, DHS is able to provide relief more quickly to those who are eligible and remove those who are not.

The credible fear screening interview and standard is the same whether the noncitizen is in CBP or ICE custody. If the noncitizen receives a positive credible fear determination, they are issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court for removal proceedings. Alternatively, under the Credible Fear and Asylum Processing Interim Final Rule, USCIS also has the option of retaining certain noncitizens’ application for asylum and scheduling the noncitizen for a second interview, known as an Asylum Merits Interview, to determine whether the noncitizen is eligible for asylum. If the credible fear determination is negative, the noncitizen may request review of the decision by an immigration judge. If the noncitizen does not elect to have their determination reviewed or if the immigration judge affirms the asylum officer’s decision, the noncitizen is subject to expedited removal and ultimately removed. If the immigration judge vacates the asylum officer’s decision, the noncitizen may proceed either before USCIS or in removal proceedings before an immigration judge with their asylum application. If an NTA is issued and the noncitizen is placed in removal proceedings, the immigration court will make the final determination on the noncitizen’s eligibility for asylum, withholding of removal, or other relief.

Certain nationalities, in this case nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), who are referred to USCIS for a credible fear interview while in Border Patrol custody are informed of legal pathways available to nationals of CHNV countries who are outside of the United States and meet certain eligibility requirements. These potentially eligible noncitizens are then asked if they would like to voluntarily withdraw their application for admission and return to Mexico in order to retain their ability to apply for these parole processes. If the noncitizen states they would like to withdraw their application for admission, the asylum officer stops the interview, administratively closes the case, and informs CBP of the noncitizen’s request. If the noncitizen decides to not withdraw their application for admission, the asylum officer continues with the credible fear screening.

Processing under the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule

On May 12, 2023, the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways (CLP) rule took effect. This rule encourages migrants to use lawful, safe, and orderly processes and pathways to enter the United States and imposes a rebuttable presumption of ineligibility for asylum on certain noncitizens who fail to do so. The presumption applies to noncitizens who arrive at the Southwest land border and adjacent coastal borders, meaning any coastal border at or near the U.S.-Mexico border reached by an individual after traveling from Mexico and circumventing the U.S.-Mexico land border. Noncitizens who entered the United States on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2023, are not subject to the CLP rule. Mexican citizens and nationals as well as stateless habitual residents of Mexico also are not subject to the CLP rule, as the rule requires travel through a third country for the presumption of ineligibility to apply.

The CLP rule provides exceptions for a noncitizen from the presumption of asylum ineligibility and allows the noncitizen to rebut the presumption of asylum ineligibility by demonstrating exceptionally compelling circumstances. The rule specifically excepts unaccompanied children from the presumption of ineligibility for asylum. When a noncitizen attends their credible fear interview with USCIS, the asylum officer will assess whether the noncitizen is subject to the CLP rule and, if so, whether an exception applies, or the presumption of asylum ineligibility can be rebutted.

Specifically, if the noncitizen is not subject to the rule or if an exception applies, USCIS will continue with a credible fear screening, applying the significant possibility standard. If a noncitizen is subject to the rule and an exception does not apply, they are presumed ineligible for asylum. The noncitizen then has an opportunity to rebut this presumption of asylum ineligibility, based on exceptionally compelling circumstances. If they rebut the presumption of ineligibility for asylum under the CLP rule, the asylum officer will conduct the credible fear interview using the significant possibility standard, which includes an exploration of whether the applicant has a credible fear of persecution or torture for all countries of nationality and all designated countries of removal prior to the issuance of a credible fear determination.

If the noncitizen is unable to establish an exception or rebut the presumption of ineligibility for asylum, their fear claim is assessed using the reasonable possibility standard, which requires a higher standard of proof. The reasonable possibility standard includes screening the noncitizen for fear of persecution or torture in the designated country or countries of removal, if any are listed, to determine whether they would be eligible for statutory withholding of removal or protection under the regulations implementing U.S. obligations under Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. If no designated countries of removal are listed, then the noncitizen is screened for their country of citizenship or nationality. The designation of a country of removal is made by our DHS colleagues in CBP or ICE and provided to USCIS at the time of the referral.

The Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule applies to noncitizens who arrive at the Southwest land border and adjacent coastal borders, meaning any coastal border at or near the U.S.-Mexico border reached by an individual after traveling from Mexico and circumventing the U.S.-Mexico land border. As noted above, noncitizens are not subject to the CLP rule if the noncitizen

• In 1,071 cases an exception to the CLP rule was established, resulting in 815 cases (76.1%) receiving a positive determination at the significant possibility standard, 248 cases (23.2%) receiving a negative determination at the significant possibility standard, and 8 cases (0.8%) were administratively closed.
• In 4,292 cases the presumption of ineligibility for asylum was rebutted, resulting in 3,698 cases (86.2%) receiving a positive determination at the significant possibility standard, 577 cases (13.4%) receiving a negative determination at the significant possibility standard, and 17 cases (0.4%) were administratively closed.
• In 31,712 cases the presumption of ineligibility for asylum under the CLP rule was applied, resulting in 16,635 cases (52.5%) receiving a positive determination at the reasonable possibility standard, 14,937 (47.1%) receiving a negative determination at the reasonable possibility standard, and 140 (0.4%) were administratively closed.

On August 3, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a stay of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California’s order in East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Biden , No. 18-cv-06810 (N.D. Cal.), vacating the CLP rule. At this time, while the stay remains in place, DHS continues to apply the CLP rule.

USCIS will continue to respond to the rising number of credible fear referrals by ensuring DHS follows the laws written by Congress – swiftly processing noncitizens so they may either seek relief before an immigration judge or be expeditiously removed. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I look forward to answering your questions.