Please note:
The U.S. government has ended the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) and paused the Uniting for Ukraine and Welcome Corps private sponsorship programs. Americans cannot submit new sponsorship applications, and existing applications will not be processed.
- Learn more about how this impacts newcomers and sponsors.
- Sign up for ongoing policy updates from Welcome.US.
Key takeaways from a conversation with Welcome.US leadership
In just three years, Americans across all 50 states and in more than 12,000 zip codes have privately sponsored newcomers through safe, legal, and orderly pathways. They are Americans from every part of our great nation’s tapestry: across all political parties, veterans, faith leaders, and everyday Americans acting on their compassion, generosity, and desire to serve their communities.
President Trump’s administration has announced several policy changes that impact sponsorship programs. Welcome.US CEO Nazanin Ash and Welcome.US co-founder and co-chair Cecilia Muñoz hosted a webinar that included an analysis of executive actions affecting sponsorship and what Welcomers can do to share their support for these programs.
Here are the key takeaways:
The Welcome Corps is a U.S. State Department program that empowers Americans to privately sponsor refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
On Jan. 20, President Trump’s administration announced it is suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), including the Welcome Corps, indefinitely, subject to review every 90 days. Policy changes include:
- All refugee processing, including through the Welcome Corps private sponsorship program, has been paused until further notice.
- All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States—including through the Welcome Corps—have been canceled, and no new travel will be scheduled.
- The Welcome Corps is no longer accepting applications and all active or previously submitted applications will not be processed either.
- Exemptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis as determined jointly by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security. Note: There isn’t a clear process for cases to be evaluated for an exception, but see below for our guide on how to contact your federal representatives to check the status of your pending case.
Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through the Welcome Corps are not affected by this policy announcement and are not at risk of losing their status.
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 U.S. president.
On Jan. 20, President Trump’s new administration announced a policy change ending the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) humanitarian parole private sponsorship program. Policy changes include:
- Americans cannot submit new applications to sponsor individuals in these countries.
- It is unclear whether the new administration will continue to process the applications Americans have already submitted.
- The executive order does not revoke parole status for individuals who have already arrived in the U.S. through CHNV. However, humanitarian parole is temporary, and newcomers should consider applying for alternative legal status options if they are eligible. View our guide to alternative legal status options, and consider consulting an immigration attorney.
There have been no specific announcements regarding Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), so the status of this program remains uncertain.
Many of you have reached out to us about how to seek support for sponsorship applications, or to express support for sponsorship programs. Our guide for contacting your federal representatives provides practical guidance on how to engage with your congressional representatives as a sponsor or Welcomer.
The guide includes an easy-to-use online tool for contacting your congressional representatives, sample messages you can customize and send to your representatives, and information on the details needed to submit a case-specific inquiry.
Join our next webinar on Feb. 6 at 3 pm ET. During this session, we’ll share any new policy updates and spotlight the efforts that sponsors have made to share their support for sponsorship programs.
To help you stay informed on the latest updates, Welcome.US is continually updating our website which includes policy explainers to help you understand impacts to sponsors and newcomers, FAQs, and information about upcoming webinars.
Key resources:
- Welcome.US policy updates
- Guide for contacting your federal representatives
- Guide to alternative legal status options
- Policy explainers
- A recording of our webinar from Jan. 22
Tell us what additional information or resources would be helpful for you.
