.
On December 12, the Trump administration announced the permanent termination of all Family Reunification Parole (FRP) programs, a mechanism that allowed citizens of seven Latin American countries to enter the United States temporarily to join close relatives while other immigration processes were pending.
What happened
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice in the Federal Register that formally ends the FRP programs on December 15, 2025. The decision also ends the modernized family reunification initiatives launched in 2023 and the earlier humanitarian parole processes established for Cubans in 2007 and Haitians in 2014.
According to the notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), anyone currently holding a valid parole will lose that status on January 14, 2026, unless they have filed an I‑485 adjustment of status application before December 15 or receive an individual waiver from DHS secretary Kristi Noem.
Why it matters
Up to 59,000 individuals from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras had benefited from these parole protections by 2024, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The termination removes a legal pathway that allowed them to stay and work in the United States for up to three years while awaiting permanent resident status.
The administration framed the move as a return to the original congressional intent for parole and cited concerns about fraud, verification failures and national‑security risks, marking a sharp reversal from the policies pursued under the Biden administration.
What may happen next
Immigrants who are not covered by the two exceptions will probably be required to depart the United States before the January 14, 2026 deadline. DHS has said it will notify each affected individual and expects them to use the CBP Home app to log their departure intentions.
Analysts suggest that, depending on how many people seek the I‑485 adjustment or qualify for a waiver, the administration could face legal challenges or calls for legislative fixes. The government has also highlighted existing incentives such as financial assistance, travel‑document support and civil‑penalty waivers, which may mitigate some immediate hardships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program?
FRP was a humanitarian parole mechanism that allowed citizens of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras to enter the United States temporarily to reunite with close relatives while other immigration applications were pending.
Who is affected by the termination?
Approximately 59,000 people from the seven listed countries who had received parole protection up to 2024 will lose their status, unless they filed an I‑485 adjustment of status before December 15 or receive a discretionary waiver from DHS secretary Kristi Noem.
What are the exceptions to the termination?
The notice specifies two exceptions: (1) individuals who submitted an I‑485 adjustment of status application on or before December 15, and (2) cases where DHS secretary Kristi Noem determines after a case‑by‑case review that the parole should not be revoked.
How do you think this policy change will shape the broader immigration landscape in the United States?