The National Law Review May 11, 2021 

The IE parole program provides a temporary immigration pathway for foreign entrepreneurs who have founded companies in the United States attracting venture capital or other funding that may benefit the nation by growing and adding jobs to the U.S. economy.

Under the IE program, parole may be granted to up to three entrepreneurs per start-up entity, as well as their spouses and children. Parole authorizes the beneficiary the right to enter and stay in the United States, for a specific period of time granted by DHS. The IE program is not a typical immigration pathway, but it fills a gap for entrepreneurs that more common immigration statuses do not satisfy. Entrepreneurs granted parole are eligible to work only for their start-up business, and their spouses may apply for employment authorization in the United States, though their children are not eligible for such authorization based on this parole.
International Entrepreneur parole program applicants must show that they:

1. Possess a substantial ownership interest in a start-up entity created within the past five years in the United States that has substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.
2. Have a central and active role in the start-up entity such that they are well-positioned to substantially assist with the growth and success of the business.
3. Will provide a significant public benefit to the United States based on their role as an entrepreneur of the start-up entity by showing that:

• The start-up entity has received a significant investment of capital from certain qualified U.S. investors with established records of successful investments;
• The start-up entity has received significant awards or grants for economic development, research and development, or job creation (or other types of grants or awards typically given to start-up entities) from federal, state, or local government entities that regularly provide such awards or grants to start-up entities; or
• They partially meet either or both of the previous two requirements and provide additional reliable and compelling evidence of the start-up entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.

1. Otherwise merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

If the application is successful, DHS will grant the applicant parole for an initial period of two years, with an option for a three-year extension if the business continues to grow.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced [ https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2021-09609/removal-of-international-entrepreneur-parole-program ] today that the Department of Homeland Security is withdrawing a 2018 notice of proposed rulemaking that proposed to remove the International Entrepreneur program from DHS regulations. The International Entrepreneur (IE) parole program, first introduced in 2017, will remain a viable program for foreign entrepreneurs to create and develop start-up entities with high growth potential in the United States. The program will help to strengthen and grow our nation’s economy through increased capital spending, innovation, and job creation.

The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) would like to remind you that individuals who are eligible to renew their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and employment authorization may submit their renewal request between 150 days and 120 days before the expiration date on their current Form I-797, Notice of Approval, and on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

While processing times can vary, filing as early as possible will minimize the possibility that the current period of DACA and employment authorization will expire before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicates the renewal request. USCIS’ published goal is to process DACA renewal and related employment authorization requests within 120 days. If you file after the recommended filing period (meaning less than 120 days before your current period of DACA expires), there is an increased possibility that your current period of DACA and employment authorization will expire before you receive a decision on your renewal request.

To check current USCIS case processing times, please visit the agency’s Check Case Processing Times web page. Please note that USCIS has said that in accordance with longstanding policy, there is no expedited processing for deferred action, including deferred action under DACA.

More Information
For more information on DACA, please visit the USCIS Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Frequently Asked Questions web pages.