For many, coming to the U.S. is a chance to start fresh, full of new opportunities. For others, it’s a safe place to escape danger or hardship.
But no matter the reason, getting into the U.S. can be a complicated process—often involving a lot of paperwork.
One option you may have heard of is humanitarian parole.
This program allows people who may not normally qualify for entry to come to the U.S. temporarily for urgent reasons—like a medical emergency or fleeing from danger. It’s a way for individuals to get the help they need during a crisis, or even contribute to the U.S. in meaningful ways.
In this article, we’ll break down how the humanitarian parole program works, who’s eligible, and how to apply. We’ll also cover recent changes in immigration policy that could affect the program’s future.
What is Humanitarian Parole?
Humanitarian parole is a special permission that allows non-U.S. citizens to enter the U.S. temporarily for two main purposes:
- Urgent humanitarian reasons: This covers situations like needing urgent medical care, being an organ donor, reuniting with a sick relative, attending a family funeral, or escaping targeted harm such as violence or political persecution.
- Significant public benefit: This applies to cases where a person’s presence is required for public matters, like serving as a witness in legal proceedings or helping in other important public efforts.
The U.S. has been using humanitarian parole as far back as 1956 when it first helped Hungarian refugees fleeing Soviet oppression.
For the next couple of decades, parole was used for migrants coming from places like Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, where people faced violence or social and political instability
However, the 1980 Refugee Act tightened the rules, limiting parole to urgent cases or significant public benefit, as we know the program today.
In 2014, the Obama administration used the humanitarian parole program to bring in Central American minors who were fleeing violence, allowing them to reunite with families in the U.S. This program, called the Central American Minors (CAM) Program, was revived by President Biden in 2021.
In January 2023, Biden also launched the CHNV program (for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans), allowing certain nationals from these countries to enter the U.S. for up to two years.
But while humanitarian parole can be a lifesaver in urgent situations, it’s not a permanent solution.
If you’re considering applying, you should know that parole:
- Is short-term, usually granted for only up to one year (although specific parole programs might offer a little more time).
- Is not the same as immigration options like green cards or visas, which allow people to stay longer in the U.S.
- Doesn’t lead to permanent residency or citizenship, although you can live and work in the U.S. during your stay.
- Differs from refugee status, which offers more protections.
- Comes with conditions—and can be revoked at any time.
In other words, while humanitarian parole can help in a crisis, it should not be looked at as a route to long-term immigration.
Impact of Humanitarian Parole
Between 2012 and 2024, nearly 40% of migrants who were initially denied entry to the U.S. were later granted humanitarian parole. In 2015, that number peaked at 40.5%.
While that percentage has dipped slightly in recent years, the trend has generally been upward.
Much of that is due to the Biden administration, and specific parole programs available for people from certain countries.
In fact, over just the last three years, the U.S. has admitted more than 1 million migrants through the humanitarian parole program, including:
- More than a half-million individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela via the CHNV program.
- Over 187,000 Ukrainians under the Uniting for Ukraine program.
- More than 76,000 Afghan refugees, after the Taliban took over the country.
In 2024, parole approvals surged again, with records set in January and February. The number of daily approvals reached an all-time high, continuing the upward trend from late 2023.
Eligibility and Application
While millions have benefited from humanitarian parole over the last several decades, it doesn’t mean that just anyone will be let into the U.S.
Even if you have an urgent need to be here, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) isn’t going to provide an automatic “yes.”
First off, the application process involves a fair amount of preparation and paperwork, including:
- Form I-131: This is the application for travel documents. Think of it as your official request to come into the U.S. temporarily. There’s also a $630 fee to submit this form, but if that’s an issue, you can request a fee waiver using Form I-912.
- Form I-134: This form is a declaration of financial support. Essentially, you need someone in the U.S. (usually a family member or sponsor) to agree to support you financially during your stay. The sponsor will need to submit documents like tax returns and pay stubs to prove they have the financial means to support you.
- Other supporting evidence: You need to back up your application with strong evidence. This might include medical records, letters from doctors, affidavits from family members, or any other documents that help explain why you urgently need to be in the U.S.
After you submit everything, the processing time can vary depending on how urgent your situation is. It’s not uncommon for delays to occur, especially if the USCIS needs more information from you.
As the USCIS reviews each application, they will consider factors like:
- How urgent is the need?
- What will be the impact on the applicant’s well-being if they are denied entry?
- What impact could this person have on the community if they enter the U.S.?
- Are there other ways this person could legally enter the U.S.? For example, could they apply for a visa?
Even if a person meets all the eligibility criteria, there is still no guarantee of approval. The decision is discretionary, and the USCIS takes a big-picture approach, weighing all the facts in each person’s individual case.
Current State of Humanitarian Parole
Unfortunately, the last few months have made the future of humanitarian parole in the U.S. look rather uncertain.
In October 2024, the Biden administration announced it would not extend the legal status of migrants who entered through the CHNV program.
For hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, their legal protections are set to expire. Many will soon find themselves either scrambling for new ways to stay in the U.S. or facing the very real possibility of deportation.
For those from Venezuela and Haiti, the situation is especially dire. Venezuela has refused to accept deportations, and Haiti is still in the midst of a severe crisis—leaving these people in a state of “legal limbo.”
This is all happening at a time when other key immigration protections are also at risk.
As you are probably aware, Donald Trump won the most recent U.S. election, with promises to roll back and even eliminate major programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which currently protect about 3 million immigrants.
Trump has tried to end TPS for several nationalities before—including Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Salvadorans—although lawsuits stopped those efforts during his last term.
Meanwhile, the future of DACA is equally unclear, having been challenged in court for many years.
With the current conservative Supreme Court majority, it’s possible that both programs could eventually be dismantled completely. Therefore, when the second Trump administration comes into power in January 2025, the consequences could be severe.
Exploring Your Options for Staying in the U.S.
If you’re currently in the U.S. on humanitarian parole, you might be wondering what your next steps are—and what options are available to help you stay here longer.
One big benefit of parole is that it allows you to apply for a work permit, so you can support yourself while you’re here. This can be a lifeline, especially if you’re in urgent need of income while you figure out your next move.
If you’re here through the CHNV program (for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans), there are possible paths to longer-term status. That said, your options may vary depending on your country of origin, when you arrived, and how long you’ve been in the U.S.:
- If you’re from Venezuela or Haiti: You may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This is granted to nationals of certain countries experiencing ongoing conflict or environmental disasters. Haitians who arrived before June 2024 and Venezuelans who entered before July 2023 may apply for TPS.
- If you’re from Cuba: You may be able to get a green card under the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA). This unique law allows Cuban nationals to apply for permanent residency after residing in the U.S. for at least one year.
- If you’re from Nicaragua: If you entered via the humanitarian parole program, you may be eligible to apply for asylum, which provides protection to those fleeing persecution in their home countries. While this is a rather complex process, it may offer a pathway to permanent residency.
Figuring out your immigration options can feel overwhelming—especially with so many changes happening these days.
To ensure you’re not missing anything important, it’s smart to connect with a reputable immigration attorney. They can help you understand the process and ensure you’re following all the right steps.
Stay Informed, Stay Connected With uLink
Understanding humanitarian parole and your options for staying in the U.S. isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.
uLink is here to support you by providing up-to-date, reliable information on a variety of immigration-related topics. We understand that the journey can be difficult, especially when you’re dealing with paperwork, legal processes, and uncertainty.
That’s why we’re committed to being a resource for you every step of the way.
In addition to guidance, uLink also offers a secure and easy-to-use money transfer service to help you stay connected with loved ones back home.
Whether you’re here temporarily on humanitarian parole or have already settled in the U.S., uLink makes it simple to send funds to those who need it most, helping bridge the gap during challenging times.Try uLink’s secure money transfer service, and take the next step in supporting your loved ones, no matter where they are. With uLink pay less, send more.
