The Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of the 2022 and 2023 categorical parole programs for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (referred to as “CHNV parole programs”). DHS is expected to publish a Federal Register notice March 25 to terminate these programs effective April 24.

Key Points:

  • The Biden administration established the temporary parole program for Venezuelan nationals in 2022 in an effort to discourage irregular border crossings, and then expanded the program in 2023 to include Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan nationals. In October 2024, DHS announced it would not extend the CHNV parole programs.
  • President Trump directed the immigration agencies to terminate categorical parole programs in a Jan. 20 executive order.
  • DHS has now determined that these programs “do not serve a significant public benefit, are not necessary to reduce levels of illegal immigration, did not sufficiently mitigate the domestic effects of illegal immigration, are not serving their intended purposes and are inconsistent with the [current] administration’s foreign policy goals.”
  • DHS indicated it expects parolees without a lawful basis to remain in the United States following the termination of these programs to depart the country by the termination date of April 24.

Additional Information: The termination of the CHNV parole programs is anticipated to impact approximately 530,000 Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan nationals. The Trump administration’s actions to suspend categorical parole programs are currently under litigation, and this termination will likely face similar legal challenges.

In terms of enforcement, the register states that “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. DHS retains its discretion to commence enforcement action against any alien at any time, including during the 30-day waiting period created by this notice.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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