The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of the CHNV parole program, a Biden-era initiative that allowed migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States legally with financial sponsorship. The decision, signed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, was published in the Federal Register and will take effect on April 24.
Since its launch in 2022, the CHNV parole program has provided a legal pathway for over 532,000 individuals, granting them two-year work permits and temporary deportation protections. However, with this abrupt policy change, migrants who fail to obtain another legal status before their parole expires must leave the U.S. by April 24 or face possible deportation. Work permits and deportation protections will expire 30 days after March 25, and those without lawful status will be required to exit the country voluntarily. DHS has encouraged affected migrants to use the CBP Home smartphone app to register for self-deportation, but officials have also made it clear that arrests and removals may begin even before the 30-day grace period ends.
The decision to revoke CHNV parole status comes amid ongoing legal battles. In February, a federal lawsuit was filed by immigrant advocacy groups and U.S. citizens to challenge the termination of the program. The policy shift has raised concerns about potential mass deportations and family separations, as many CHNV beneficiaries have already built lives in the United States. It remains uncertain how many of them have secured alternative immigration protections, such as asylum or green cards.
This sweeping change has sparked intense debate, with critics warning of the humanitarian and economic consequences of expelling thousands of legally admitted migrants. For now, those impacted must seek alternative immigration options immediately or prepare for possible removal from the U.S.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds.
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