Individuals benefiting from humanitarian parole programs aimed at citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela may soon confront deportation. This follows the expiration of their permits after the conclusion of the program that allowed temporary entry of migrants for humanitarian or significant public interest reasons.
An official draft from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), signed by Secretary Kristi Noem, outlines that those without another legal basis to remain in the United States must either leave or face deportation proceedings. This decision aligns with Executive Order 14165, signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, which mandates securing the border and ending parole programs.
The announcement also states that pending travel permits, confirmed supports (I-134A), and employment authorizations derived from parole will be revoked. However, the DHS document does not acknowledge the expectations of beneficiaries regarding the program's continuation, as it was always stated to be temporary and subject to discretionary termination.
The DHS argues that these programs failed to curb irregular migration or significantly enhance border security, instead adding pressure to local communities, public resources, and an already overwhelmed immigration judicial system. Between 2022 and 2025, over 532,000 individuals entered the U.S. under these programs. Though these admissions were legal under parole provisions, the DHS claims they contradicted the law's original intent, which calls for case-by-case permits.
The notice is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on March 25. The program, known as CHNV after the initials of the involved nationalities, states that "individuals on parole without a legal basis to remain in the United States after the termination of the CHNV parole programs must depart before their parole ends."
Elizabeth Amaran, an immigration attorney based in Miami, commented to the Miami Herald, "We're talking about nearly 500,000 people who entered under this program, half a million people, and all these individuals are currently living in the United States."
Risks for Cuban Nationals
The indefinite suspension of processing immigration applications for beneficiaries of humanitarian parole and other migration programs could impact over 800,000 people in total, as it includes the 531,000 who entered via parole (among them, 110,000 Cubans, although many have already obtained permanent residency); 240,000 Ukrainians, along with a smaller number who entered through family parole.
Among parole beneficiaries, those under I-220a and I-220B status (parole with a deportation order) amount to nearly 600,000 Cubans. Approximately 400,000 have I-220A status while awaiting the outcome of asylum applications or potential parole that would allow them to gain permanent residency. The I-220A, granted at U.S. border points under a supervised release criterion, is not recognized as formal legal admission into the country.
Since the program's inception in 2023 until July 2024, approximately 110,000 Cubans have been screened and approved for travel. By the end of July, over 520,000 individuals from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti, and Cuba benefited from this program initiated by the Biden administration.
Swift Deportations
The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump had previously expressed its intention to revoke the legal status of over 1.8 million migrants who benefited from various temporary humanitarian parole programs implemented during the Biden Administration.
Immigrants affected by the revocation of their status could be subject to expedited deportation processes, as reported in early March. According to an internal email from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seen by Reuters, those crossing the border illegally may face "expedited removal" up to two years following their entry.
However, migrants who entered legally through ports of entry without being formally "admitted" into the U.S.—such as parole beneficiaries—are not subject to a time limit for swift deportation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Humanitarian Parole Termination
What is the CHNV parole program?
The CHNV parole program is a humanitarian initiative that provided temporary entry to citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela for significant public interest or humanitarian reasons.
Why are parole beneficiaries facing deportation?
Beneficiaries are facing deportation because the parole program is ending, and those without a legal basis to stay in the U.S. must leave or face deportation proceedings.
How many people are affected by this policy change?
Over 532,000 people who entered the U.S. under these programs between 2022 and 2025 are affected, with the potential impact on more than 800,000 individuals when including other migration programs.