Latest Changes to Humanitarian Parole Programs, including Private Sponsorship Programs
Alert
On March 21, the U.S. government announced that it will terminate existing humanitarian parole status for CHNV newcomers.
Last updated March 21, 2025 at 8:12 p.m. ET
Latest updates
Parole status to be terminated for CHNV newcomers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will terminate the humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the United States through the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) sponsorship program. Termination of parole will take effect 30 days after the official notice is published. The expected publication date of the notice is March 25, 2025, meaning parole would be terminated on April 24, 2025. Learn more.
Media reports about parole status revocation for U4U newcomers
The termination order affecting CHNV parole does not apply to the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) humanitarian parole program. However, there have been news reports suggesting that the U.S. government may announce the termination of existing humanitarian parole for newcomers who entered through U4U soon after the termination of CHNV parole.
Suspension of decision-making on new applications for legal status
On Feb. 14, media reports indicated that DHS issued an internal memo suspending decision making on all immigration applications filed by individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the U4U and CHNV parole programs. This indicates that DHS will not approve any alternative forms of legal status (including Temporary Protected Status and asylum) many sponsored individuals are seeking while this pause is in place.
We strongly recommend 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 alternative legal options for support.
Visit our policy updates page for expert guidance, FAQs, and other resources, and subscribe to receive emails with the latest updates.
Background on the use of humanitarian parole in the United States
- Humanitarian parole is a temporary immigration status that allows individuals facing urgent humanitarian crises to enter the United States legally.
- Humanitarian parole is a legal authority that has been used for nearly a century by Republican and Democratic presidents alike to respond to humanitarian crises. For example, President Eisenhower admitted nearly 30,000 people from Hungary following the collapse of the anti-Communist revolution. From the 1960s–1990s, presidents of both parties used humanitarian parole to establish programs that helped hundreds of thousands people fleeing persecution from Cuba, Vietnam, Indochina, and other areas arrive safely in the United States. And most recently, it has been used to help Afghans after the takeover of their country by the Taliban in 2021; Ukrainians after the Russian invasion in 2022; as well as Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans fleeing persecution from authoritarian leaders and Haitians seeking safety as their government collapsed.
- Sponsors welcomed them—using their own private resources to provide housing and meet immediate essential needs, help newcomers find employment and enroll kids in school, and extend a helping hand as friends and neighbors to newcomers rebuilding their lives in the United States. These newcomers have contributed to local economies and businesses, becoming our new neighbors, colleagues, and, for many of us, members of our extended family.
- Both the sponsors and newcomers passed thorough background checks, security vetting, and financial reviews carried out by the U.S. government before the newcomers are approved to travel to the United States.
- Individuals with humanitarian parole seeking to remain in the United States and those concerned for their safety can consult this guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees. Individuals with questions or concerns about changes to humanitarian parole can contact their federal and local representatives using this guide.
FAQ
What’s the latest on CHNV?
DHS announced that it will terminate the humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the United States through the CHNV sponsorship program. Termination of parole will take effect in 30 days after the official notice is published. The expected publication date of the notice is March 25, 2025, meaning parole would be terminated on April 24, 2025. Additionally, if an individual's parole is set to expire earlier, termination would occur on the expiration date. DHS intends to prioritize removing individuals from the U.S. who haven’t applied for another status, like TPS or asylum, by March 25, 2025. View our CHNV policy explainer page for more information and resources.
DHS ended the CHNV program in January 2025. The program is not accepting new applications, pending applications will not be processed, and no new travel authorizations will be issued.
Sponsors can consult our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees to seek professional legal counsel.
What’s the latest on U4U?
As of Jan. 28, 2025, DHS has paused the Uniting for Ukraine program. The program is not accepting new applications, pending applications will not be processed, and no new travel authorizations are being issued.
The March 21 DHS notice for CHNV termination does not apply to individuals who arrived in the U.S. through U4U; however, recent reports suggest the government may also terminate humanitarian parole status for this population. Individuals who arrived through U4U and do not have another status or a pending application for another status, such as TPS or asylum, should seek professional legal counsel and apply for alternative legal status, if eligible.
Learn more in our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees.
Does the end of the CHNV program and pause to the U4U program mean the newcomer I sponsored lost their humanitarian parole status?
The DHS announced that it will terminate the humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the CHNV program. Termination of parole will take effect 30 days after the official notice is published. The expected publication date of the notice is March 25, 2025, meaning parole would be terminated on April 24, 2025. Additionally, if an individual's parole is set to expire earlier, termination would occur on the expiration date. DHS intends to prioritize removing individuals from the U.S. who haven’t applied for another status, like TPS or asylum, by March 25, 2025. View our CHNV policy explainer page for more information and resources.
This order of termination is specific to individuals who were sponsored through the CHNV sponsorship program. It does not apply to individuals who arrived in the U.S. through U4U, however recent reports suggest the government may also terminate humanitarian parole status for this population. Individuals who arrived through U4U and do not have another status or a pending application for another status, such as TPS or asylum, should seek professional legal counsel and apply for alternative legal status, if eligible. Learn more about applying for another status in our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees.
Will a newcomer be protected if they apply for an alternative legal status after their humanitarian parole status is terminated?
Media reports indicate that on Feb. 14, DHS issued an internal memo suspending decision-making on all immigration applications filed by individuals who arrived in the U.S. through several sponsorship programs, including U4U and CHNV. The directive indicates that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not approve any alternative forms of legal status many sponsored individuals are seeking while this pause is in place. This includes applications filed for asylum, TPS, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), advance parole travel, adjustment of status to permanent residence, naturalization, and all other applications filed to USCIS.
The memo has not been made public, and many questions remain, including if it will be challenged in court. 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. Check out our guide to alternative legal options for support. We will continue to monitor policy changes and share updated recommendations as they impact sponsorship programs.
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 will not be processed.
The program is not accepting new applications, pending applications will not be processed, and no new travel authorizations are being issued. 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.
