Alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees
On May 30, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to terminate humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) sponsorship program. The ruling means humanitarian parole status for people sponsored through the CHNV program is terminated and the government can begin deportation proceedings, unless they have secured protection from deportation through another legal status, such as a pending asylum application. Learn more.
Applying for alternative legal status
On May 28, a federal judge issued a ruling ordering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to restart processing immigration applications for people in the U.S. through humanitarian parole programs like U4U and CHNV. This means that these individuals can once again submit immigration applications for statuses such as asylum. Applications that were already submitted can also move forward.
It’s not clear how long this order will last or if the government will comply with it. Immigration applications have been on hold since a DHS memo on Feb. 14 paused processing for people in the U4U and CHNV programs, including work permits and asylum. People with pending applications can check their status through their myUSCIS account and consult with their legal counsel on the status of their application.
We continue to strongly recommend that sponsored newcomers apply for alternative legal status, including asylum, if eligible, based on guidance from legal experts. Sponsors can help by connecting newcomers with legal services. We will continue to monitor policy changes and share updated recommendations as they impact sponsorship programs.
About the guide
Are you sponsoring someone through a humanitarian parole program, or supporting individuals in your community who are on humanitarian parole? Our comprehensive Guide to Alternative Legal Status Options provides essential information on next steps for parolees seeking more stable and long-term pathways to remain in the United States.
This resource is designed for:
- Sponsors navigating the complex process of helping individuals on humanitarian parole.
- Employers looking to support employees who are on humanitarian parole by understanding alternative legal pathways.
- Faith leaders, community groups, and neighbors who want to ensure that parolees have access to the resources they need to thrive and build secure futures.
Whether you are helping someone pursue asylum, apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or explore family or employment-based visa options, this guide will equip you with the foundational knowledge to get started.
Pair the guide with our on-demand webinar
We also recommend watching our on-demand webinar featuring immigration attorney Dree K. Collopy. In this session, you'll gain insights into:
- Next steps for individuals on humanitarian parole.
- How sponsors and communities can provide meaningful support.
- Key legal considerations to keep in mind as parolees explore alternative status options.
