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 April 4, 2025 at 7:37 p.m. ET
Latest updates
Message sent in error to some Ukrainians who arrived through U4U
As of April 4, 2025, news outlets are reporting that some individuals sponsored through Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) received an email yesterday from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notifying them that their parole status will terminate in seven days and directing them to leave the country immediately. DHS stated that this message was sent in error to some Ukrainians who arrived through U4U and that the department has sent retraction notices. It is unclear if DHS plans to issue this same notice at a later date or to other populations. We are following the matter closely and will share updates as they become available.
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 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?
As of Jan. 20, 2025, DHS 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 authorizations will be issued.
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 on April 24, 2025. If an individual's parole was 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.
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 (U4U) program. The program is not accepting new applications, pending applications will not be processed, and no new travel authorizations are being issued.
The March 25th DHS notice of 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. View our humanitarian parole explainer page for more information and resources.
Sponsors can consult our guide to alternative legal options for humanitarian parolees to seek professional legal counsel.
What happens to my pending application or approved sponsorship if the newcomer hasn’t arrived yet?
With the pause of the U4U program and the end of the CHNV program, pending applications or approved sponsorships for newcomers that have not arrived will not be processed.
The programs are 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 questions about a specific case, you can ask your congressional representatives to follow up directly with USCIS on your behalf. Use our guide for information on how.
If no immigration applications are being processed for individuals with humanitarian parole, why recommend those individuals to apply for TPS, asylum, EADs, etc.?
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 (TPS) and asylum) many sponsored individuals are seeking while this pause is in place.
However, we still strongly recommend that all individuals with a primary status of humanitarian parole seek advice from an immigration attorney immediately to determine if viable alternative statuses remain an option for them. Check out our guide to alternative legal options for support.
How does the pending lawsuit related to the termination of parole affect the CHNV or U4U newcomer I sponsored?
We are tracking the lawsuit, Doe v. Noem, that challenged the U.S. government’s actions to end humanitarian parole processes including CHNV and U4U. We will provide updates once a final order is made. For more up-to-date information, you can follow the case here.
How will CHNV newcomers know if their parole status has been terminated?
The March 25 public notice serves as notice of the termination of parole status for those who arrived through CHNV and if their primary status is humanitarian parole. DHS will also provide individual notice to each parolee through their USCIS online account.
Individuals who arrived in the U.S. through CHNV may still receive an individual notice via email even if they have applied for or received an alternative status. Receiving an individual notice does not indicate that the recipient is a priority for removal. Please consult legal counsel to understand options.
How will CHNV newcomers know if they can stay in the U.S.?
All individuals who arrived in the U.S. through CHNV should seek advice from an immigration attorney immediately to determine if they already have alternative status or, if not, what viable options remain for them. Find an immigration attorney through the American Immigration Lawyers Association search tool.
How does the termination of parole status for CHNV beneficiaries affect their employment authorization?
If an individual who arrived in the U.S. through CHNV currently has employment authorization that was based on their parole status, their employment authorization will automatically terminate when their parole status terminates (on April 24, 2025 or sooner if their status expires before then). If the individual has been granted employment authorization through an alternative legal status (e.g., asylum or TPS), their employment authorization will not be impacted.
