Parole Programs · March 25, 2025
CHNV Parole Program Wind-Down: What Happens When Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela Parole Ends
Key takeaway
Starting around March 25, 2025, the federal government moved to wind down the humanitarian parole programs commonly referred to as CHNV, for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Here is what these programs were, what changed, and what people who were paroled into the U.S. throu
Starting around March 25, 2025, the federal government moved to wind down the humanitarian parole programs commonly referred to as CHNV, for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Here is what these programs were, what changed, and what people who were paroled into the U.S. through them should do now.
Last reviewed June 11, 2026
Key takeaway
Starting around March 25, 2025, the government began winding down the CHNV humanitarian parole programs for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela by not extending parole as individual grants expire, a move that has been challenged in court. Because parole is temporary and work authorization is generally tied to the parole period, anyone with CHNV parole approaching its expiration date should urgently explore other options, including asylum (subject to its one-year deadline), family-based petitions, or other status, before that date arrives.
What the CHNV Parole Programs Were
Beginning in late 2022 and expanding through 2023, the federal government created a series of parole programs allowing nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to apply, with a financial sponsor in the United States, for advance authorization to travel to the U.S. and be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis. People granted parole under these programs were generally allowed to remain in the U.S. for a period of up to two years and were eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document.
These programs were created using the federal government's parole authority under immigration law, which allows parole to be granted on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, rather than through the normal visa process.
What Changed Starting in March 2025
Around March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security published a notice indicating that it would not extend parole for individuals who had been paroled into the country under the CHNV programs and that these parole grants would not be renewed when they expired, effectively winding down the program for existing parolees as their individual parole periods ran out.
This notice was challenged in court by advocacy groups and individuals affected, with arguments focused on whether ending parole for people already in the country, many of whom had been working, paying taxes, and building lives based on the expectation of a two-year parole period, was handled in a manner consistent with the law. As with the TPS litigation discussed elsewhere on this site, the practical effect for any individual depends on the specific status of the litigation and the specific dates on that person's documents.
What Happens When Parole Expires
Parole is not a long-term immigration status. It is a temporary authorization to be present in the United States, generally for a specific period of time noted on a person's Form I-94. When parole expires without being extended or replaced by another status, a person can be considered to no longer have a lawful basis to remain, even if they entered the country with full advance authorization and have complied with all requirements since arriving.
Work authorization granted based on parole is generally tied to the parole period itself. If parole is not extended, an Employment Authorization Document based on that parole will generally not be renewed on the same basis, which can mean a person loses the ability to work lawfully even if their EAD card has not yet physically expired, depending on how the specific notices are worded.
Alternatives to Explore Before Parole Expires
For people whose CHNV parole is approaching its expiration date, the most important question is whether any other immigration option may be available before that date arrives. Common possibilities that should be explored on an individual basis include applying for asylum, if the person has a fear of returning to their home country and is within the one-year filing deadline or qualifies for an exception to it; a family-based petition, if the person has a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative; an employment-based option, if an employer is willing to sponsor the person; or, in some cases, eligibility under a TPS designation if the person's country has an active designation and they meet the qualifying dates.
Because the one-year asylum filing deadline is measured from the date of arrival in the United States, not from the date parole expires, people who arrived under CHNV programs in 2023 may be approaching or past this deadline already. Anyone in this situation should get this reviewed urgently, since exceptions to the one-year deadline exist but require specific facts to support them.
If Your Parole Has Already Expired
If your CHNV parole period has already ended without an extension and without another application pending, your situation requires careful, individualized review. The options available, and the urgency of acting, depend heavily on specific facts: how long ago parole expired, whether any application was filed before it expired, whether you have left and re-entered the country, and whether you have any other connections to the U.S. that could support a different status.
Do not wait for a "final answer" in the news before seeking a review. The litigation over CHNV parole concerns the government's policy generally; it does not substitute for understanding your own specific situation and deadlines.
What To Do Next
- Find your Form I-94 and note the exact date your current parole period expires.
- Find your Employment Authorization Document and note its category code and expiration date, and compare it to your parole expiration date.
- Calculate the date that is one year after your first arrival in the U.S. under CHNV parole, since this is generally the asylum filing deadline absent an exception.
- If you have a qualifying family member who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, gather documents proving the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) so this can be evaluated as a possible option.
- If an employer has expressed interest in sponsoring you, gather information about the employer and the position so an employment-based option can be evaluated.
- If your parole has already expired, or expires within the next few months, request an urgent case review rather than waiting, given the asylum deadline and the consequences of a gap in status.
What to do next
- Save the full notice, receipt, envelope, and any deadline exactly as written.
- Write a short timeline with dates, agency names, court or facility names, and prior filings.
- If ICE, court, detention, an RFE, NOID, denial, or a close deadline is involved, start intake and mark the issue urgent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the CHNV parole programs?
They were programs created starting in late 2022 and expanded in 2023 allowing nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, with a financial sponsor in the U.S., to apply for advance authorization to travel to the U.S. and be considered for parole for up to two years, with eligibility to apply for work authorization.
What changed around March 25, 2025?
The Department of Homeland Security published a notice indicating it would not extend parole for CHNV beneficiaries as their individual parole periods expire, effectively winding down the programs for people already in the country.
Did everyone with CHNV parole lose their status immediately on March 25, 2025?
No. The notice affects parole as it expires for each individual, and the policy has also been challenged in court. The practical effect on any individual depends on their specific parole expiration date and the current status of the litigation.
My CHNV parole period has not expired yet. What should I do?
Use the time you have to explore other options before your parole expires, including checking the one-year asylum deadline (measured from your arrival date), any family-based options, and any employer sponsorship possibilities. Do not wait until close to your expiration date.
My parole has already expired. Am I now undocumented?
If parole expired without being extended and without another application providing a basis to remain, your situation needs individualized review. The specific consequences and options depend on your full history, including whether anything was filed before expiration.
Is my work permit still valid if my parole expired but my EAD card has a later expiration date printed on it?
This depends on how the work authorization category and any related notices are worded. Do not assume a card is valid simply because the printed date has not passed; this should be checked individually against your parole status and any applicable notices.
What is the one-year asylum deadline and how does it apply to me?
Under long-standing immigration law, there is generally a one-year deadline to file for asylum, measured from the date of your last arrival in the United States, with limited exceptions for changed circumstances affecting your eligibility or extraordinary circumstances that caused the delay. For many CHNV parolees who arrived in 2023, this deadline may already be approaching or have passed, which is why urgent review matters.
What are the exceptions to the one-year asylum deadline?
The two general categories are "changed circumstances," meaning conditions materially affecting your eligibility have changed since you arrived, and "extraordinary circumstances," meaning something outside your control caused the delay in filing. Whether either exception applies depends heavily on individual facts and must be supported with evidence.
Can my U.S. citizen or green card holder family member sponsor me instead?
A qualifying family relationship, such as marriage to a U.S. citizen or a parent-child relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, can sometimes provide a separate path, but eligibility depends on the specific relationship, how you entered the country, and other factors that should be reviewed individually.
Can an employer sponsor me for a work visa or green card instead of relying on parole?
Employment-based options exist but generally have their own requirements, including the type of job, the employer's willingness and ability to sponsor, and your qualifications. This is worth exploring if an employer is interested, but it is not a quick or guaranteed solution and should be evaluated individually.
I am from Haiti and have CHNV parole, but I also heard about Haiti TPS. Could that apply to me?
Whether TPS could apply to you depends on whether you meet the specific qualifying dates and other requirements for an active TPS designation for your country, which is separate from your parole status. This should be checked against the current designation's requirements.
If I leave the United States now, can I come back?
Leaving the United States while your status is uncertain carries significant risk and could affect your ability to return or to pursue other options from inside the country. Do not make travel plans without first getting your situation reviewed.
My sponsor in the U.S. is no longer involved in my life. Does that affect my parole or other options?
Your sponsor's ongoing involvement is generally separate from your own parole status and from your eligibility for other immigration options, but it is one of many details worth mentioning in a case review since it can be relevant to your overall picture.
Where can I read more about CHNV parole and the litigation over its termination?
Boundless (boundless.com) and Immigration Impact (immigrationimpact.com) both publish updates on humanitarian parole programs and related litigation. Always check the publication date, since this situation continues to develop.
What is the single most urgent thing I should do if I have CHNV parole?
Find your Form I-94 and note your exact parole expiration date and your original arrival date, then get a case review as soon as possible, especially if your parole has already expired or expires soon, or if you arrived more than nine months ago and have not yet looked into the asylum deadline.
Sources & Further Reading
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