Latest changes to humanitarian parole programs, including private sponsorship programs
Latest updates
Note as of Oct. 2, 2025: Due to the U.S. government shutdown, you may experience delays in working USCIS on pending applications or inquiries.
Parole status terminated for CHNV newcomers
- On June 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it began sending termination notices for humanitarian parole status and work authorization to individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) sponsorship program. This is following a Supreme Court decision on May 30 that granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to terminate humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the CHNV sponsorship program.
Re-parole has been granted to some Ukrainian newcomers
- In August 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed processing Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) renewal (aka re-parole) applications for Ukrainians who are here in the U.S.
- See this guidance by the Ukraine Immigration Task Force on how to submit a re-parole application and when to consider expedited processing. If your U4U beneficiary is still awaiting a renewal for parole or work authorization, we encourage you to contact your congressional representative and submit a constituency request for their staff to do a congressional inquiry to USCIS to check on the status of their case. You can reference our contact your representative guide to learn how to submit this request.
Applying for alternative legal statuses
On May 28, 2025, 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.
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 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.
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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.
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FAQ
What’s the latest on CHNV?
On June 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it began sending termination notices for humanitarian parole status and work authorization to individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) sponsorship program.
Individuals affected received notification through their myUSCIS account.
If a newcomer you know has been impacted by this decision:
- Get legal help immediately: All individuals with a primary status of humanitarian parole should consult an immigration attorney immediately. Find an immigration attorney through the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association search tool.
- Consult our parole termination resources hub, which includes resources to understand newcomers’ rights and possible next steps.
- 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, the U.S. government has paused the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program. No new U4U applications are being accepted, pending cases won’t be processed, and no new travel authorizations are being issued.
In May, due to a court decision, USCIS lifted a pause on the processing of immigration applications, including parole renewals, for Ukrainians already in the United States. Dozens of renewal (aka re-parole) applications have been approved by USCIS for U4U beneficiaries. For more information, see this guidance by the Ukraine Immigration Task Force on how to submit a re-parole application and when to consider expedited processing.
If your U4U beneficiary is still awaiting a renewal for parole or work authorization, we encourage you to contact your congressional representative and submit a constituency request for their staff to do a congressional inquiry to USCIS checking on the status of their case. You can reference our contact your representative guide to learn how to put in this request.
If you are a sponsor, check out our guide to alternative legal options for parolees and get legal advice from an immigration expert.
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.
How will CHNV newcomers know if their parole status has been terminated?
On June 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it began sending termination notices for humanitarian parole status and work authorization to individuals who arrived in the U.S. through CHNV. This is the result of the May 30 Supreme Court decision granting the Trump administration’s emergency request to terminate humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the CHNV sponsorship program.
Individuals affected by the May 30 Supreme Court decision will receive notification through their myUSCIS account and should check the online account regularly for updates.
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 legal status, or, if not, what viable options remain for them.
Individuals affected by the May 30 Supreme Court decision will receive notification through their myUSCIS account and should check the online account regularly for updates.
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?
The May 30 Supreme Court ruling allowed the government to end CHNV humanitarian parole and employment authorization. Individuals affected by this decision will receive notification through their myUSCIS account.
If the individual has employment authorization based on a different legal status (such as asylum or TPS), it will not be affected.
Can CHNV newcomers apply for legal status now to avoid deportation?
CHNV newcomers should secure legal counsel immediately to determine if viable alternative statuses, such as asylum, remain an option for them. It’s important to act quickly and get legal help.
How will the government track whether CHNV newcomers leave the U.S. on time?
The Department of Homeland Security may use travel records, check-ins, or visits to track this. People who don’t leave may be placed in deportation proceedings.
Where can CHNV newcomers get help with financial, housing, and other issues if they must leave in 30 days?
Local nonprofits, faith groups, and refugee resettlement agencies may offer help. Call 211 or check social media to find support nearby.
