On Friday, March 21st, the Trump administration announced the termination of the CHNV parole program, revoking legal status for over 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the decision in a notice published in the Federal Register, setting April 24, 2025, as the deadline for affected individuals to leave the United States if they lack another legal status.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the program, implemented under former President Joe Biden, had allowed loosely vetted migrants to enter the country, compete for American jobs, and contribute to border instability. “The termination of the CHNV parole programs, and the termination of parole for those who exploited it, is a return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First,” DHS officials explained in a statement.
The CHNV parole program was launched in 2022 for Venezuelans and later expanded to include Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. It provided migrants with U.S.-based sponsors with temporary legal status and two-year work permits. The Biden administration argued that the program helped reduce illegal border crossings, but Trump officials dismissed it as a failure.
The decision to revoke legal status has led to swift legal challenges. Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Center, criticized the move as unfair to individuals who followed all legal procedures required by the government. A group of American citizens and immigrants has filed a lawsuit seeking to reinstate humanitarian parole protections.
Immigration advocates have warned that many of those losing CHNV status could face deportation. Legal experts advise affected individuals to explore alternative options, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or asylum applications. Law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP recommended that migrants consult attorneys immediately, as application deadlines may be strict.
As the April 24 deadline approaches, uncertainty looms for many affected migrants, with legal battles likely to shape the next phase of immigration policy under the Trump administration.
