On March 25, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the termination of the humanitarian parole programs for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), which were launched under the Biden administration to allow certain nationals and their family members to travel to and seek discretionary parole at U.S. ports of entry. Reuters reports that there are approximately 530,000 individuals whose parole status will end.
Read the notice published at 90 FR 13611 (March 24, 2025).
Effective March 25, 2025 DHS will:
- Terminate the CHNV parole programs.
- Cancel all pending and approved advance travel authorizations (ATAs).
- Cuts short the two-year parole granted to existing CHNV parolees, 30 days after publication unless individually extended.
- Begin revoking related employment authorization documents issued under category (c)(11).
In the notice, DHS asserted that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) limits parole to case-by-case determinations based on urgent humanitarian need or significant public benefit, which DHS says the categorical CHNV programs failed to meet.
Cited Executive Orders:
- EO 14165 (“Securing Our Borders”): Directs termination of categorical parole programs. See NAFSA's page.
- EO 14159 (“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”): Prioritizes total enforcement of immigration laws. Federal Register cite: 90 FR 8443 (January 29, 2025).
- EO 14150 (“America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State”): Establishes U.S. foreign policy priorities. Federal Register cite: 90 FR 8337 (January 29, 2025).
Implications:
- Parolees without another lawful basis must depart the U.S. by the termination date or risk removal. DHS plans to use "expedited removal" wherever possible.
- No re-parole or extension will be granted.
- Pending Form I-134A supporter applications will be denied; confirmed applications will be rescinded.
- DHS maintains authority to grant parole on a case-by-case basis under standard INA provisions.