On December 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of the misuse of the Humanitarian Parole Process and concurrently announced the cessation of the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program for foreigners and their immediate relatives from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras.
The FRP program was granted to specific defined groups in a one-time manner, rather than examining each parole application on a case-by-case basis.
The announcement stated that these programs allowed foreign individuals to bypass traditional parole procedures without thorough scrutiny, thus contradicting the original intent of the parole system. DHS is following the will of Congress to revert the parole system from categorical programs to individual case reviews, adhering to the principles of common-sense policy and “America First.”
The announcement highlighted that the FRP program lacked proper vetting, leading to security vulnerabilities where malicious fraudsters could exploit these loopholes to enter the U.S., posing an unacceptable risk to the country.
It emphasized that the government’s obligation to prevent fraud and abuse, maintain national security and public safety should not be hindered by the noble desire for family reunification.
DHS prioritizes the safety, security, and economic well-being of the American people.
Another notification in the Federal Register details the specific management of the termination of the FRP program: If a foreign individual granted parole in the U.S. under the FRP program has a parole period expiring before January 14, 2026, their parole will end on that date.
If the individual has submitted Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) with a postmark date of December 15, 2025, or earlier and is still pending before January 14, 2026, their parole will remain valid until its expiration or the final decision on the I-485 form, whichever comes first.
If the foreign individual’s I-485 application is denied, their parole will be terminated, and they must leave the U.S. immediately.
Upon the termination of parole granted under the FRP, work permits based on that parole will be revoked, and individuals will be notified separately.
After the conclusion of the FRP, foreign individuals with no lawful basis to remain in the U.S. must depart before the parole period ends. They are encouraged to report their intent to depart using the Home application of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Qualified individuals can avail benefits such as departure incentives, financial and travel document assistance, and waivers for civil penalties.
For more information, visit the CBP “Home” page on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).