CHNV Parole

Updated 5/30/2025

CHNV Parole After the Supreme Court’s Decision: What You Should Know

On Friday, May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States granted DHS’ request to block a lower court order that protected around 532,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who entered the U.S. pursuant to the CHNV parole processes. As a result, the administration’s decision to early terminate parole and related work authorization is in effect while the court case continues. However, people who a have lawful basis, for example a pending asylum claim, may be able to remain in the U.S. It is important that anyone in CHNV parole status immediately consult with a trusted immigration attorney.

What is the CHNV parole program?

The Biden-era parole program for Venezuelans and their immediate family members was announced in October of 2022. On January 6, 2023, the Biden administration announced a similar process by which Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and their immediate family members could use a legal mechanism, known as “humanitarian parole,” to come to the U.S. for a period of two years to live and work lawfully if they had a sponsor in the U.S. and passed a background check. Approximately 532,000 individuals were granted humanitarian parole pursuant to the program and related work authorization.

What is the current status of the CHNV parole program?

On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an Executive Order, “Securing Our Borders,” specifically calling for an end to the CHNV parole program.

On March 25, DHS issued a Federal Register notice formally terminating the CHNV parole processes– terminating the program and parole for those who entered via the CHNV parole program.
On April 14, a federal judge put on hold the administration’s efforts to early terminate CHNV, allowing CHNV parolees to continue having protection from deportation and work authorization.
On May 30, the Supreme Court’s decision removed the lower court’s block and allowed the administration to early terminate CHNV parole and related work authorization.

What does early termination of the CHNV parole program mean?

For those who entered the U.S. pursuant to the CHNV parole processes, their parole has ended, unless a court decision states otherwise.
Related employment authorization of CHNV parolees (granted under the c(11) category) will likely also end (although the USCIS website does not yet indicate that work authorization for CHNV parolees is terminated), unless individuals have gained or applied for another status that provides work authorization, such as a pending asylum application.
Parolees without a lawful basis to remain in the U.S. following this termination of CHNV parole must depart the U.S.
- Generally, if an individual has applied for other forms of immigration relief, such as TPS or asylum, they may be able to remain in the U.S.
- Please consult with a trusted immigration attorney for more information.
DHS intends to prioritize deportation for CHNV parolees who do not depart the U.S. and have no legal basis to remain in the U.S. Those with a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are generally those who have filed for (or were the beneficiary of) other forms of immigration relief that would allow them to remain in the U.S. following the termination of their parole.
It’s clear that ICE is counting on CHNV parolees “self deporting” since ICE does not have the capacity to seek and deport more than 500,000 parolees.

What if my employer asks me to prove my work authorization?

Because the Court’s decision has allowed DHS’ early termination of parole and the likely revocation of work authorization of CHNV parolees, employers are likely required to reverify the work authorization of any CHNV parolee employees [EAD category c(11)] once USCIS has issued a directive on its website.
- In other words, if and when DHS issues a directive terminating the work authorization of CHNV parolees, employers at that time will be allowed to ask CHNV parolees to show proof that they are authorized to work. Any CHNV parolee who has applied for other immigration relief may be authorized to work pursuant to those pending applications, such as TPS or asylum, and may provide their employers proof of other forms of employment authorization to update their records.
If you are represented by a union, contact your Union Representative.

What do I do if my work authorization and CHNV parole status has ended?

If you are represented by a union, contact your Union Representative. Your union can bargain with your employer for an unpaid leave of absence, severance pay, or other separation benefits.
Contact a trusted immigration attorney immediately. Beware of “notarios” or scammers. Find a reputable legal service provider near you.

What is the status of the pending legal challenge to this termination?

In late February, 11 individuals– eight who entered the U.S. through a humanitarian parole program and three sponsors– and the Haitian Bridge Alliance sued the administration challenging the termination of humanitarian parole programs, including the CHNV program. The lawsuit also challenges the administration’s order to pause processing on pending parole applications and any other alternative forms of relief applicants may qualify for, such as asylum and TPS. Plaintiffs are being represented by the Justice Action Center and Human Rights First. That case is Svitlana Doe v. Noem, 1:25-cv-10495 (D. Mass.).

On May 29, a federal judge ordered DHS to continue processing applications such as re-parole, employment authorization, family immigration and other immigration applications for individuals who were paroled into the U.S. from Ukraine and Afghanistan, the CHNV countries, and those who were part of the Central American minors program and the Military Parole-in-Place program. At this time it is unclear if the Supreme Court’s May 30 order applies to the individuals who received parole under these other programs. Asylum applications may still be filed. The federal judge has not yet ruled on the merits of this case– on whether the administration is legally allowed to early terminate the CHNV, and other, parole programs. This question continues before the court. We will keep you updated with further developments.

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