FAQs on recent changes to sponsorship
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SPONSORSHIP FAQS
Answers to your questions about sponsorship and welcoming under the new administration. This page will be updated as policy changes are announced.
Humanitarian parole
The U.S. government has ended the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) and paused the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) and Welcome Corps private sponsorship programs. Americans cannot submit new sponsorship applications, and existing applications will not be processed. As of Jan. 31, 2025, reports suggest that President Trump’s administration may soon announce the immediate termination of existing humanitarian parole status for newcomers who entered the U.S. through CHNV and U4U.
Check this page frequently for policy changes that impact sponsorship programs and the newcomers who benefit from them. Sponsors are encouraged to help newcomers connect with legal services and determine if newcomers are eligible for alternative legal status. Learn more in our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees.
How does the executive order work, and what does it mean for sponsors and newcomers?
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 president.
On Jan. 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice directing immigration officials to review cases of individuals who are currently in the United States on humanitarian parole to determine whether to terminate their parole status and begin the process to remove them from the United States back to their home country. This includes beneficiaries of Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans and, possibly, Uniting for Ukraine as well as Afghans with parole status.
We do not yet know how this guidance will be implemented or enforced, but we will share updates as we receive more information.
Newcomers with humanitarian parole status should apply for a more durable status as quickly as possible, ideally asylum if they are eligible. In general, deportation efforts are not directed at those who have a pending asylum application. Please consult our guide to alternative legal status options.
Sponsors seeking information about applications they have submitted may seek constituent services from their congressional representatives to inquire about the status of their application or share their support for sponsorship programs. Click here to consult our sponsor guide on contacting your congressional representative for help.
What’s the latest on CHNV?
As of Jan. 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ended the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) program. The program is not accepting new applications, pending applications will not be processed, and no new travel authorization will be issued.
Immigration officials can review the cases of people in the United States on humanitarian parole and decide to end an individual’s parole status, beginning the process of removing them from the United States. In addition, reports on Jan. 31, 2025, suggest that President Trump’s administration may soon announce the immediate termination of humanitarian parole status through CHNV.
As we monitor and share these policy changes impacting sponsorship programs, we strongly recommend that newcomers apply for another legal status if they qualify. Sponsors can help by connecting newcomers with legal services. Learn more in our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees.
What’s the latest on U4U?
As of Jan. 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has paused the Uniting for Ukraine program. The program is not accepting new applications, and it is unclear if pending applications will be processed, noting that no new travel authorizations have been issued.
Immigration officials can review the cases of people in the United States on humanitarian parole and decide to end an individual’s parole status, beginning the process of removing them from the United States. In addition, reports on Jan. 31, 2025 suggest that President Trump’s administration may soon announce the immediate termination of humanitarian parole status through CHNV, and it may apply to U4U as well.
As we monitor and share these policy changes impacting sponsorship programs, we strongly recommend that newcomers apply for another legal status if they qualify. Sponsors can help by connecting newcomers with legal services. Learn more in our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees.
Do any of the executive orders issued impact Uniting for Ukraine?
On Jan. 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice directing immigration officials to review cases of individuals who are currently in the United States on humanitarian parole to determine whether to terminate their parole status and begin the process to remove them from the United States back to their home country. This includes beneficiaries of Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans and, possibly, Uniting for Ukraine as well as Afghans with parole status.
Newcomers who arrived through Uniting for Ukraine should apply for more durable status as quickly as possible, ideally asylum if they are eligible. Historically, deportation efforts are not directed at those who have a pending asylum application. Please consult our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees, and consider ways you can support newcomers to apply for this status, for example, by connecting them with legal services.
What happens to my pending application or approved sponsorship if the newcomer hasn’t arrived yet?
With the end of the CHNV program, pending applications or approved sponsorships for newcomers that have not arrived are halted.
With the pause of Uniting for Ukraine, it is unclear if pending applications will be processed. Approved sponsorships for newcomers that have not arrived are halted. It is unclear if or when the program will be restarted. We are closely monitoring official updates and will share further information as it becomes available.
If you have additional questions about a specific case, you can ask your congressional representatives to follow up directly with USCIS on your behalf. Use our sponsor and welcomer guide for information on how.
I’m signed up or have applied to sponsor someone through the Welcome Connect platform. What happens next?
Does the end of the CHNV program and pause to the U4U program mean the newcomer I sponsored lost their humanitarian parole status?
On Jan. 31, 2025, reports suggest that President Trump’s administration may soon announce the immediate termination of humanitarian parole status through CHNV, and other reliable reports suggest this also may apply to U4U.
As of January 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ended the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) program and paused the Uniting for Ukraine program. Neither program is accepting new applications, pending applications will not be processed, and no new travel authorization will be issued.
In addition, DHS announced that immigration officials may start reviewing the cases of people in the United States on humanitarian parole.
As part of that review, officials may decide to end an individual’s parole status and could begin the process of removing them from the United States. This announcement could include people who arrived through humanitarian parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Ukrainians and Afghans.
There is still a lot we don’t know about the scope of these changes, as well as when and how they will be carried out. We strongly recommend, however, that newcomers apply for asylum or another permanent status if they qualify. Sponsors can help by connecting them with legal services. Check out our guide to legal options for support.
Welcome Corps
The Welcome Corps, part of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), has been suspended by President Trump’s administration. Refugee arrivals to the U.S. have been halted, and the program is no longer accepting or processing new or active applications. The suspension is subject to review every 90 days.
Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through the Welcome Corps will not lose their legal status.
Is the Welcome Corps impacted by the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program?
Yes. The Welcome Corps is part of USRAP, which has been paused by President Trump’s administration until further notice. This means:
- No new applications can be submitted.
- Pending and active applications will not be processed.
- Refugee travel to the U.S. has been canceled, and no new travel will be scheduled.
Some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security. Refugees who have already arrived will not lose their legal status.
Can I still submit a Welcome Corps application?
No. Due to a recent policy change from President Trump’s administration, the Welcome Corps is no longer accepting new applications, and pending applications will not be processed during the suspension.
I have an application in process. What happens next?
Pending Welcome Corps applications will not be processed while the program is suspended.
- You can contact your congressional representative to inquire about your case or request a review.
- Use our sponsor guide for step-by-step help contacting your representatives.
I have heard that the new policy permits admitting refugees on a case-by-case basis. What should I do?
The new administration has not provided guidance on how to request admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Sponsors may seek help from their congressional representatives to understand the process.
- Use our sponsor guide to learn how to request a case review.
My Welcome Corps application was approved, but the refugee(s) I’m planning to sponsor has not yet arrived. What happens now?
Refugee travel to the U.S. is suspended until further notice. All scheduled travel has been canceled, and no new travel will be booked during the suspension.
How can I share my support for sponsorship programs or contact someone about my case?
You can:
- Contact your congressional representatives to express support for refugee sponsorship programs or get help with your application.
- Use our guide for contacting your federal representatives for detailed instructions.
Are refugees I sponsored through the Welcome Corps who have already arrived in the U.S. affected by this policy?
Maybe. Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through the Welcome Corps are not at risk of losing their legal status, but may not be able to access some services.
- Their legal status remains unchanged.
- Reception and Placement (R&P) services may be impacted. Welcome.US is monitoring and will provide updates as needed.
- Sponsors will no longer receive program support for the duration of their sponsorship commitment.
How long will the Welcome Corps be paused?
The suspension is in place until further notice but will be reviewed every 90 days. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Are Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders impacted by the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program?
No. SIV holders can still travel to the U.S. and receive Reception and Placement services.
General Q&A
What can I do right now to support newcomers?
- Help newcomers apply for permanent legal status if eligible, like asylum.
- Reach out to your congressional representatives to offer your support for sponsorship programs. Use our guide to get involved.
- Stay informed by visiting our website for updates and resources.
Have asylum applications been paused?
There have been no changes to the asylum process for people applying from within the United States. Recent changes have limited asylum for people applying at the U.S. border.
It’s hard to refer newcomers to immigration attorneys because the waitlists to be seen are so long. Is there anything else we can do?
We know it can be challenging to find and access an immigration attorney. We are providing resources here to help expand your search. In addition to these tools, you might consider reaching out to your network to ask for referrals for an initial consultation from an attorney in your community or virtually.
You can view a list vetted immigration attorneys by the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association here. Additionally, many local immigrant service organizations provide free or low-cost legal services as Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representatives, which are listed here by state.
Last updated Feb. 6, 2025.