DHS to Terminate Parole Programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published an advance copy of a notice terminating the parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (referred to as “CHNV parole programs”). This notice is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 and take effect 30 days thereafter. This means that, absent any action in the meantime to the contrary, individuals in the U.S. pursuant to a grant of parole under a CHNV parole program without another lawful basis to remain in the U.S. must leave the U.S. upon termination of the program. DHS also intends to revoke any accompanying work authorization. Note that this termination notice does not impact similar parole programs for nationals of Afghanistan and Ukraine, and it does not impact Temporary Protected Status, which is a separate program.

Beneficiaries of the CHNV parole programs should take note that the advance copy of the notice provides, “Following this termination, and consistent with the direction in Executive Order 14165, DHS generally intends to remove promptly aliens who entered the United States under the CHNV parole programs who do not depart the United States before their parole termination date and do not have any lawful basis to remain in the United States.”  Moreover, “To effectuate their prompt removal, the U.S. government may in its discretion initiate expedited removal proceedings where appropriate” (with expedited removal being deportation without a hearing before an immigration judge, as permitted by law).

Any foreign national impacted by this action is encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney to determine whether they may qualify for any potential relief.  Employers that have any foreign national employees working pursuant to employment authorization from the CHNV parole programs should also generally be aware of potential impacts to their employee populations and the business.