Policy Updates
Get up-to-date information and expert guidance on recent changes to sponsorship pathways and our welcoming communities in 2025.
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Alert: 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.
Alert
On March 21, the U.S. government announced that it will terminate existing humanitarian parole status for CHNV newcomers.
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What impact will policy changes have on newcomers, refugees, and sponsorship programs? Check out our latest explainers to learn more.
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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) humanitarian parole sponsorship program and paused the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) humanitarian parole sponsorship program. Americans cannot submit new sponsorship applications, and existing applications will not be processed.
On March 21, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will terminate the humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the U.S. through the CHNV program. View our CHNV policy explainer page for more information and resources. This order of 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.
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.
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.
Welcome Corps
As of late February 2025, all U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) contracts, including the Welcome Corps, were terminated. Refugee arrivals to the U.S. have been halted, and the program is no longer accepting or processing applications. Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through the Welcome Corps retain their legal status.
Can I still submit a Welcome Corps application?
No. The Welcome Corps program, which was a refugee sponsorship initiative within the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), was terminated in Feb. 2025. The Welcome Corps is no longer accepting new applications, and pending applications will not be processed or certified.
I have an application in process. What happens next?
Refugee cases that have already been referred into USRAP through a certified Welcome Corps application currently remain in the pipeline, though their processing is on hold and no flights are being scheduled for refugee arrivals.
What does it mean to have a certified Welcome Corps application?
A certified application means information about the refugee(s) you applied to sponsor was referred to USRAP, and the refugee(s) named on your application has a case with the U.S. government.
If your Welcome Corps application was certified, an email was sent to your group coordinator at the time of certification.
If your Welcome Corps application was not certified, the refugee(s) named on your application do not have a USRAP or SIV number. This means they have not been referred to the U.S. government for private sponsorship and therefore do not have a case with the U.S. government.
How can I tell if the refugee(s) named in my Welcome Corps case were referred to USRAP?
The refugee(s) named in your Welcome Corps case were referred into USRAP if:
- Your group coordinator received an email from [email protected] stating that the refugee(s) named in your application were referred to USRAP.
- The refugee(s) named in your application have received a USRAP number. A USRAP case number consists of two letters followed by a 6-digit number, for example, JO-123456.
I have heard that the new policy permits admitting refugees on a case-by-case basis. What should I do?
The U.S. government 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 guide to contacting your federal representatives to learn how to request a case review.
My Welcome Corps application was certified, 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. Other than limited arrivals on a case-by-case basis, all scheduled travel has been canceled, and no new travel will be booked during the USRAP suspension.
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 funded by the federal government.
How long will USRAP be paused?
It is unclear if or when USRAP programming will reopen and whether private sponsorship will be included in that programming. The Welcome Corps program was terminated by the State Department in late February 2025.
Are Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders affected by the USRAP suspension?
SIV holders can travel to the U.S. with private dollars, but they will not receive Reception and Placement (R&P) services.
An SIV holder may be an Afghan or Iraqi in any country with an approved visa in their passport and a valid passport or travel document.
The approved visa must include an Immigrant Visa case number, also known as the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) number. This number starts with 3 letters followed by 10 numbers. For example, KBL1234567890. This is not the NVC SIV Case Number.
What will happen after the 90-day review period? Will processing resume?
On Jan. 20, the U.S. government suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for a minimum 90-day review period. This includes a halt on all refugee case processing and arrivals except on a case-by-case basis. It is unclear when or in what form USRAP programming will reopen and whether private sponsorship will be included in that programming. The pause will remain in effect until the U.S. government lifts it.
What does it mean that the Welcome Corps is terminated? Will it return?
The Welcome Corps program was terminated by the State Department in late February 2025. This means that the Welcome Corps is no longer accepting new applications, and pending applications will not be processed or certified.
It is unclear whether refugee sponsorship will return. As elected officials shape new policies related to refugee admissions, Americans can share their support for private sponsorship by using our guide for contacting your federal representatives.
How does the pending lawsuit related to USRAP affect refugee processing and the Welcome Corps?
We are closely tracking the lawsuit, Pacito v. Trump, which challenged the U.S. government’s suspension of USRAP. We will provide more information once a final order is made. For more up-to-date information, you can follow the case here.
How can I share my support for sponsorship programs or get help with 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.
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