On Jan. 20, President Trump’s new administration announced a policy change ending the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) humanitarian parole private sponsorship program.
The Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans was previously authorized in January 2023 to allow Americans to privately sponsor newcomers in need of safety under a legal status known as humanitarian parole. Humanitarian parole is a temporary immigration status that allows individuals facing urgent humanitarian crises to enter the U.S. legally. It is a discretionary status that can be granted or ended at any time by executive order of the U.S. president.
This sponsorship program was the means by which Americans have been able to legally and safely sponsor newcomers in need of refuge to come to the United States. American sponsors submitted applications to the federal government for review that included security and financial background checks, and were approved to sponsor after individual vetting by the Department of Homeland Security. The newcomers they sponsored also submitted financial and security information, were vetted by the Department of Homeland Security, and if approved, were granted permission to enter, live and work in the United States legally.
Below is a summary of what these changes mean for the program and the people it served. Visit our Policy Updates page for expert guidance, FAQs, and other resources, and subscribe to receive emails with the latest updates.
Key changes:
- On Jan. 20, 2025, the new administration announced that it is ending the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV program), effective immediately.
- The new administration’s decision to end the CHNV program means Americans cannot submit new applications to sponsor individuals fleeing violence and persecution in these countries. It is unclear at this time whether the new administration will continue to process the applications Americans have already submitted.
If you have questions about a pending sponsorship application, please see our guide for contacting your congressional representatives for information on how to contact your representatives with concerns about a specific case or about sponsorship programs more generally.
