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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday it is terminating all categorical family reunification parole programs for immigrants from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras, as well as their immediate family members.
In a statement published on USCIS.gov, DHS said the decision is part of what it described as an effort to end the “abuse of humanitarian parole” and return the process to a case-by-case system.
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“Parole was never intended to be used in this way,” the department said, adding that it is restoring humanitarian parole to how Congress originally designed it.
DHS said the desire to reunite families does not override what it described as the government’s responsibility to prevent fraud, protect national security and ensure public safety. The administration argued the family reunification parole programs had what it characterized as “security gaps” due to insufficient vetting, which it said could be exploited by malicious or fraudulent actors.
The department said it is prioritizing what it described as the safety, security and economic well-being of Americans.
A notice published in the Federal Register outlines how the termination of the programs will be carried out. Immigrants who were paroled into the United States under the family reunification parole programs and whose parole has not expired by Jan. 14, 2026, will have their parole terminated on that date unless they have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
According to DHS, the application must be postmarked or electronically filed on or before Dec. 15, 2025, and still pending on Jan. 14, 2026, for parole to remain valid. In those cases, DHS said parole will remain in effect until either the parole period expires or the agency makes a final decision on the application, whichever comes first.
If DHS denies the application, the department said the individual’s parole will be terminated and the person should depart the U.S. immediately.
When parole is terminated under the family reunification parole programs, employment authorization tied to the parole will also be revoked. DHS will notify each individual separately of the termination of parole and employment authorization. Affected individuals are encouraged by the administration to use the CBP Home app to report their intent to depart.
Last month, DHS announced it was terminating Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, requiring Haitian nationals currently enrolled in the program to leave the U.S. by Feb. 3, 2026.
This is a developing story.
Source: Newswire @ DHS ends family reunification parole programs for Haitians
