DHS Terminates Family Reunification Parole Programs Now

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially announced the termination of the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) programs affecting nationals of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, as well as their immediate family members. The move is part of a broader DHS initiative to curb what officials describe as misuse of humanitarian parole authorities and to reinforce traditional, statutory immigration procedures.

Why DHS Terminated Family Reunification Parole Programs

On December 22, 2025, DHS issued a notice in the Federal Register outlining the administrative termination of the Family Reunification Parole programs. According to the agency, the decision responds to concerns that the parole pathways had been exploited to allow inadequately vetted individuals to bypass established immigration procedures. DHS stated that humanitarian parole is intended to be used on a case-by-case basis and that the termination restores that statutory intent.

The agency’s announcement details that any individual granted parole under FRP whose parole is still valid as of January 14, 2026, will have that parole automatically terminated on that date unless they meet specified exception criteria. Those with a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, submitted by December 15, 2025, will retain valid parole until the earlier of the parole period’s expiration or a final decision on the I-485 application.

Policy background or context

The Family Reunification Parole programs were established to allow certain eligible family members of long-term residents or citizens from designated countries to enter the United States through humanitarian parole in advance of traditional visa processing. Such parole authorities, granted under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, are intended for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit cases on a temporary, exceptional basis.

DHS’s that the FRP programs had evolved into a systemic route that diverged from congressional intent, leading to vulnerabilities in vetting and eligibility determination. Termination of the program reflects the current administration’s broader strategy to tighten parole utilization and reinforce national security safeguards within immigration policy frameworks.

Under the Federal Register notice, individuals granted Family Reunification Parole whose parole expires on or before January 14, 2026, will see their parole end automatically on that date. Those with a pending Form I-485 filed by December 15, 2025, may retain parole status until either the parole term expires or a final adjudication of their adjustment application. If an I-485 application is denied, parole will be terminated immediately, and the individual will be expected to depart the United States without delay.

Termination of FRP status will also trigger automatic revocation of any associated employment authorization. DHS has stated that it will notify each affected individual regarding the termination of parole and the expiration of work authorization.

Individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States after their parole ends must ensure departure by the termination date. DHS encourages departing individuals to use the CBP One mobile application to signal their intent to exit the United States. Certain qualifiers may be eligible for incentives, including financial assistance for travel documentation, potential exit bonuses, and forgiveness of associated civil penalties.

The implications

The termination of the Family Reunification Parole programs marks a significant shift in how humanitarian parole authorities will be applied in U.S. immigration policy . By reverting to a strictly case-by-case humanitarian parole framework, DHS signals a departure from broader, programmatic parole pathways that had been leveraged for family reunification outside regular visa channels.

This policy shift may affect thousands of individuals and families who had anticipated entry or adjustment of status through FRP, prompting concerns among immigration practitioners and advocacy organizations about the availability of alternative lawful pathways. The operational changes also underscore ongoing debates over parole authority, executive discretion, and congressional intent in immigration policymaking.

Key takeaways

On December 22, 2025, DHS announced the termination of Family Reunification Parole programs for designated countries.

FRP status will automatically end on January 14, 2026, unless the individual has a pending I-485 filed by December 15, 2025.

Individuals with denied I-485 applications will have parole terminated immediately and must depart the United States.

Employment authorization tied to FRP status will be revoked upon termination.

DHS is encouraging use of the CBP One app for departure intentions and offering certain incentives for eligible participants.

The termination of FRP programs illustrates the administration’s focus on tightening the use of humanitarian parole and reinforcing legal immigration pathways aligned with statutory intent.