Policy Updates

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maybe. Policies are likely to continue to change and will impact individuals differently based on their specific circumstances. If newcomers are eligible for an alternative legal status, they should apply now and consult an immigration attorney immediately. They should not wait for humanitarian parole to be revoked.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.