DHS Reviews Humanitarian Parole Programs Amid Policy Shift

Humanitarian Parole Programs Under Review

The Department of Homeland Security has initiated a comprehensive review of several humanitarian parole programs, signaling potential changes to the scope, duration, and continuation of parole pathways that have allowed hundreds of thousands of individuals to enter and remain in the United States. The review encompasses country-specific programs, individual parole grants, and the broader policy framework governing the use of parole under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

This development has created significant uncertainty for individuals currently in the United States on parole, those with pending parole applications, and the U.S.-based sponsors who supported their applications. Immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations are urging affected individuals to consult legal counsel immediately to understand their options.

Which Programs Are Under Review

DHS has indicated that the review covers multiple parole programs, with particular focus on the following:

CHNV Parole Programs (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela)

The Biden administration created parole programs for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (collectively known as CHNV) that allowed eligible individuals with U.S.-based sponsors to apply for parole and travel to the United States for a period of up to two years. These programs were designed to provide an orderly alternative to irregular border crossings and were paired with enforcement measures at the southern border.

The current administration has publicly questioned the legal basis and scope of these programs. DHS has stated that it is evaluating whether to continue accepting new applications, whether to extend parole for individuals whose initial two-year parole periods are expiring, and whether to revoke parole for individuals already in the country.

Uniting for Ukraine (U4U)

The Uniting for Ukraine program, launched in 2022, provides parole to Ukrainian nationals displaced by the Russian invasion. Under U4U, Ukrainians with U.S.-based sponsors could apply for parole for up to two years, with eligibility for employment authorization. The program remains in effect, but DHS has included it in the broader review. Immigration attorneys report that re-parole applications (requests to extend parole beyond the initial two-year period) are facing increased processing delays and scrutiny.

Afghan Parolees

Tens of thousands of Afghan nationals were paroled into the United States following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Many Afghan parolees received initial parole for two years, with Congress later extending authorization through the Afghan Adjustment Act provisions in appropriations legislation. The review is examining the status of Afghan parolees whose parole has expired and who have not yet obtained another immigration status.

Case-by-Case Humanitarian Parole

Beyond the country-specific programs, DHS grants humanitarian parole on a case-by-case basis for individuals with urgent humanitarian needs — medical emergencies, family reunification in crisis situations, and other compelling circumstances. The review appears to encompass the criteria and standards applied to these individual grants as well.

Legal Framework: What Is Parole?

Humanitarian parole is authorized under INA Section 212(d)(5), which allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to parole into the United States any individual applying for admission on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Key characteristics of parole include:

• Parole is a discretionary benefit — no one has a right to parole.
• Parole is inherently temporary and does not confer lawful permanent resident status.
• Parole can be revoked at any time at the discretion of DHS.
• Parolees are eligible for employment authorization (via Form I-765) for the duration of their parole.
• Parole does not create a path to a green card on its own, though parolees who qualify for other immigration benefits (asylum, TPS, family-based petitions) may pursue those pathways.

The use of parole for large-scale humanitarian programs has been a subject of ongoing legal and political debate. Critics argue that Congress intended parole to be used on a case-by-case basis and that using it for large groups of nationals from specific countries exceeds the executive branch's statutory authority. Supporters counter that the text of the statute grants broad discretion and that humanitarian crises require flexible responses.

What Could Happen Next

The DHS review could result in several potential outcomes, and different programs may be treated differently:

• Program termination: DHS could announce the termination of one or more programs, ending acceptance of new applications and declining to extend parole for current beneficiaries.
• Program modification: DHS could narrow eligibility criteria, reduce the duration of parole grants, or add conditions to continued parole.
• Individual revocations: As has already begun in some cases, DHS could revoke parole for individuals within existing programs on a case-by-case basis.
• Program continuation with changes: DHS could continue the programs with modifications to address the administration's stated concerns about scope and legal authority.
• Transition to other status: In some scenarios, DHS could provide a transition period during which parolees are encouraged or required to apply for a different immigration status.

Options for Current Parolees

Immigration attorneys recommend that current parolees explore all available options for obtaining a more permanent immigration status. The specific options depend on each individual's circumstances:

Asylum

If you fear persecution in your home country, you may be eligible to apply for asylum. The filing deadline is generally one year from your last entry into the United States. Asylum provides protection from removal and, after one year, the ability to apply for a green card.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

If your country of origin has an active TPS designation, you may be eligible to apply for TPS, which provides protection from removal and work authorization. Check the USCIS TPS page for current country designations and registration periods.

Family-Based Immigration

If you have a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member who can petition for you, a family-based immigrant visa petition may provide a path to permanent residency. The timelines vary significantly depending on the relationship and your country of origin.

Employment-Based Immigration

If you have a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you, employment-based immigration categories may be available. These typically require a labor certification (PERM) and an approved immigrant visa petition (I-140).

Special Legislation

For Afghan parolees specifically, Congress has considered but not yet passed standalone Afghan Adjustment Act legislation that would provide a direct path from parole to permanent resident status. The status of this legislation remains uncertain.

What Sponsors Should Know

U.S.-based sponsors who submitted Declarations of Financial Support (Form I-134 or I-134A) for CHNV or U4U beneficiaries should be aware that their obligations under the declaration remain in effect for the duration of the parolee's authorized stay. If parole is terminated, the sponsor's obligation under the declaration typically ends — but sponsors should consult an attorney to understand their specific situation, particularly if the parolee has received means-tested public benefits.

Ongoing Litigation

Several lawsuits have been filed challenging various aspects of the parole program changes. Some suits seek to block the termination or wind-down of specific programs, arguing that DHS must follow the Administrative Procedure Act's notice-and-comment rulemaking process before making significant changes. Other suits challenge individual parole revocations on due process grounds. These cases are in various stages of litigation, and no court has issued a nationwide injunction blocking the review as of this writing.

Official Resources

• USCIS: Humanitarian Parole
• USCIS: Temporary Protected Status
• USCIS: CHNV Processes
• USCIS: Uniting for Ukraine

Last verified: April 2026 · Reviewed by USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.