U.S. Ends Family Reunification Parole Programs: What You Should Know
In a significant immigration policy update, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is terminating all Family Reunification Parole (FRP) programs for nationals of certain countries — a change that took effect December 15, 2025. This move formalizes a shift in how humanitarian parole is administered and will directly affect individuals who came to the United States under these programs.
Here’s a clear explanation of what the change means, who is affected, and what options remain available moving into 2026.
What the Family Reunification Parole Programs Were
Family Reunification Parole programs were created to allow certain family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to enter and stay in the United States temporarily while waiting for their immigrant visas to become available. These programs were part of broader humanitarian parole initiatives overseen by USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Under FRP, eligible relatives from specific countries could be paroled into the United States — meaning they were granted temporary permission to enter or remain in the country, even if their immigrant visas were not yet ready. These parole programs generally applied to family members such as adult children or siblings of U.S. citizens and were intended to help reunite families during long visa backlogs.
Which Countries Were Affected
According to the Federal Register notice, DHS terminated the FRP processes for nationals — and their immediate family members — from the following countries:
Colombia
Cuba
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
These include the modernized FRP programs launched in recent years as well as older “legacy” versions of the programs specific to Cuba and Haiti that had existed previously.
When the Programs Ended and What Happens Next
The official DHS notice states that the FRP programs were terminated as of December 15, 2025. That means:
All new categorical FRP applications are no longer accepted.
Individuals who were previously paroled under these programs continue to have status only until January 14, 2026, unless they meet certain exceptions.
After that date, the FRP status of most parolees will lapse unless they have established another lawful basis to remain.
Exceptions That Allow Parole to Continue
There are two specific situations in which a person’s parole under FRP will not automatically end on January 14, 2026:
Pending Form I-485:
If the person filed a Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) on or before December 15, 2025, and that application is still pending as of January 14, 2026, the parole will remain valid until either the parole period expires or a final decision is made on the I-485, whichever comes first.Case-by-Case Determinations:
The Secretary of Homeland Security retains the authority to extend parole on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or other significant public benefit — but this is not automatic and is evaluated individually.
If a Form I-485 is denied, or if a person does not qualify under one of these exceptions, their parole and associated benefits (such as employment authorization) end with their parole status. At that point, individuals must depart the United States unless they have another lawful immigration status.
What This Change Means in Practical Terms
For individuals and families who entered the United States under these parole programs, this update has several key implications:
1. End of Programmatic Parole
The end of FRP means there is no longer a categorical parole pathway available for nationals of the affected countries. Instead, humanitarian parole will be considered only on a discretionary, case-by-case basis.
2. Impact on Work Authorization
Parole status often came with employment authorization. When parole ends, associated work authorization linked to that parole will also be revoked, unless the person has another valid legal status or pending adjustment application.
3. Importance of Adjustment of Status Timing
Filing a Form I-485 before the cutoff date — in this case, December 15, 2025 — can preserve lawful presence beyond the program’s end date. This makes timing and planning critical for those eligible to adjust status.
4. Case-by-Case Parole Still Possible
Though the program is terminated, DHS still retains the authority to grant parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit — but this requires specific justification and does not operate on an automatic or predictable schedule.
Why This Change Happened
According to the Federal Register notice, the Department of Homeland Security concluded that the FRP programs no longer served a significant public benefit in their current form and raised concerns about security and administrative issues. As part of the termination, DHS has stated that the country will shift toward granting parole on an individualized basis rather than through broad, country-specific programs.
The termination of the Family Reunification Parole programs represents a notable policy shift in how certain humanitarian parole benefits are administered in the United States. Families reunited under these programs now face a critical deadline, and affected individuals should consult qualified immigration counsel to review their options — including whether adjustment of status is viable before the relevant cutoff.
If you or someone you know was paroled under one of these programs, it’s especially important to understand the deadlines and exceptions that may apply to your situation.
Want help breaking this down for your case? Reach out to Borderless Counsel for tailored guidance that reflects your specific immigration goals.