Understanding the Humanitarian Parole Program was essential for thousands of Latin American immigrants who, between 2023 and 2025, found in this program a safe, legal way to enter the United States on a temporary basis.
Created by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the CHNV initiative (for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela), the process allowed controlled entry for those who had a sponsor and met the humanitarian criteria.
Although the CHNV program ended in 2025, its effects are still felt. Many beneficiaries keep their parole (temporary permission to remain) valid until its expiration date.
Meanwhile, others are seeking current alternatives such as TPS, family reunification processes, or individual humanitarian parole.
This blog offers a complete guide that preserves the essence of that program, its requirements, process, income table, and documentation, and explains today’s options for people who need protection or to reunite with family in the U.S.
What were the requirements and how did the Humanitarian Parole Program (CHNV) work?
Humanitarian parole was a discretionary mechanism in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA, section 212(d)(5)) authorizing temporary entry of inadmissible persons for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Key points:
- Between 2023 and 2025, this pathway gained relevance thanks to the CHNV process, designed for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, to provide a safe, orderly, and legal way to enter the country.
- Those who met the requirements of the Humanitarian Parole Program could receive temporary permission to remain for up to two years and apply for work authorization using the Form I-765.
- On March 25, 2025, DHS announced in the Federal Register the termination of the CHNV program, noting changed humanitarian conditions and that parole should return to individual case assessments.
- During implementation, humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans benefited more than half a million people sponsored by family or residents in the U.S.
Although no new applications are accepted under this framework, understanding how it worked helps explain how USCIS processes individual paroles now and which humanitarian programs remain open.
Applicant requirements for humanitarian parole
While CHNV was in effect, a foreign national applying for humanitarian parole for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, or Nicaraguans had to meet strict eligibility criteria.
These requirements remain a useful reference to understand how the system worked and what USCIS required.
Main requirements for the beneficiary
- Be a citizen of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela.
- Be outside the U.S. at the time of application.
- Undergo U.S. national and public security screenings.
- Have an approved sponsor through USCIS after filing Form I-134A (Declaration of Financial Support).
- Hold a valid passport for international travel.
- Pay for their own travel once authorized.
- Comply with CDC-required vaccines and medical checks.
- Show the case warranted a favorable decision due to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Immediate family members could travel with the principal applicant if they were a spouse or children under 21. Minors under 18 had to travel with a legal guardian.
For Venezuelan nationals, there is still hope with the proposed new process for Venezuelans.
Sponsor requirements for humanitarian parole
The success of an application largely depended on the sponsor, the person or entity with lawful status in the U.S. who agreed to support the beneficiary financially and logistically.
Even though new filings are no longer accepted, these criteria still serve as a model for future family reunification processes or individual paroles.
Sponsor requirements per USCIS
- Pass background and security checks, including screenings related to human trafficking and labor exploitation.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial ability to support the beneficiary throughout the period of stay in the U.S. via Form I-134A.
- Hold one of the following lawful statuses in the United States:
- U.S. citizen.
- Lawful permanent resident.
- Asylee, refugee, or holder of a current parole (temporary permission to remain).
- Beneficiary of TPS, DACA, or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
Examples of support a sponsor had to provide
- Receive the beneficiary upon arrival and transport them to their residence.
- Ensure adequate housing and safety.
- Facilitate access to education, employment, and medical services.
- Accompany the beneficiary for procedures like obtaining a Social Security number and work authorization.
These financial requirements were based on the poverty guidelines published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The next section shows the 2025 updated income table, which was key to determining whether a sponsor met the minimum thresholds.
Income table for humanitarian parole (2025)
While CHNV was active, sponsors had to show a minimum financial capacity in line with the federal poverty guidelines published annually by HHS.
In other words, this table shows the minimum income levels by household size applicable to the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
| Number of family members to sponsor | 100% Poverty Guideline (military only) | 125% Poverty Guideline (other sponsors) |
| 2 | $21,720 | $27,150 |
| 3 | $27,300 | $34,125 |
| 4 | $32,880 | $41,100 |
| 5 | $38,460 | $48,075 |
| 6 | $44,040 | $55,050 |
| 7 | $49,620 | $62,025 |
| 8 | $55,200 | $69,000 |
| Each additional individual | +$5,580 | +$6,975 |
These figures were updated according to the HHS 2025 guidelines published on January 17, 2025.
This table applies only to the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
If you need the figures for Alaska and Hawaii, see our article on U.S. family-based immigration.
Important notes about the income table
During its validity, the CHNV program set clear rules on financial sponsorship and sponsor responsibilities. Today these guidelines serve solely as a historical and educational reference.
- There was no maximum number of people a sponsor could support, provided they showed enough solvency to cover each beneficiary’s basic needs.
- If the sponsor did not meet the minimum income level, another relative or friend could join by signing a joint declaration of financial support.
- If the sponsor breached their financial commitment, the beneficiary could seek reimbursement in court for benefits or expenses covered by public agencies during the parole period.
- The HHS guidelines were updated annually, so any future program or similar measure would reference the year’s current values.
Steps to apply for humanitarian parole
Although the CHNV program is now closed, knowing how to apply for humanitarian parole is essential to understand how USCIS handles individual parole processes today and what options could be reactivated in the future.
While it was active, the steps to apply for humanitarian parole for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans were:
1. Submit financial sponsorship online.
The sponsor had to complete Form I-134A declaring their ability to support the beneficiary. USCIS conducted financial and security background checks before approving the filing.
2. Create a MyUSCIS account.
Once the sponsor was accepted, the beneficiary received an email from USCIS with instructions to create an account on MyUSCIS.
3. File through the CBP One mobile app.
The beneficiary had to enter biographic data and upload a recent photo in the app as part of identity controls.
4. Receive advance travel authorization.
If USCIS and CBP approved the request, the beneficiary obtained travel authorization to the U.S.
This advance authorization was not an admission nor humanitarian parole itself.
5. Present at a port of entry.
Upon arrival, CBP reviewed the case and decided whether to grant temporary permission to remain. If criteria were not met, the individual could be placed in removal proceedings.
6. Remain lawfully for up to two years.
Once paroled, the foreign national could request work authorization via Form I-765 and lawfully reside for up to two years, without automatic access to permanent residence.
Documents required to meet the Humanitarian Parole Program criteria
The sponsor had to submit to USCIS complete documentation showing both the family relationship and the necessary financial ability. These were the documents needed for humanitarian parole:
- Form I-134A.
- Copy of the beneficiary’s valid passport.
- Birth or marriage certificates proving the relationship, if applicable.
- Financial evidence: tax returns, income statements, pay stubs, or recent bank statements.
- Medical and vaccination records updated per CDC guidelines.
- Proof of residence outside the U.S., such as leases or utility bills in the beneficiary’s name.
Submitting complete and consistent documentation was essential to avoid delays or Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS.
In some cases, the agency could ask for additional information if there were doubts about the sponsor’s financial ability or the beneficiary’s humanitarian eligibility.
Important note about current filings
Although you can no longer apply for humanitarian parole for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans under CHNV, there are still active alternatives that function similarly and may grant temporary humanitarian relief.
These include humanitarian programs run by DHS and USCIS, which continue to protect those facing medical emergencies, risk of persecution, or a need for family reunification.
These measures preserve the core principles of the original program,
- A temporary authorization to remain in the U.S., and
- The ability to work legally while the permission is valid.
Who does not qualify under the Humanitarian Parole Program criteria?
While CHNV was active, many cases were denied for not meeting the Humanitarian Parole Program requirements. These criteria remain a reference to understand current USCIS and DHS policy.
The following did not qualify for humanitarian parole:
- People with dual nationality or lawful permanent residence in a third country.
- Those with refugee or asylee status in another nation.
- Individuals who crossed the border irregularly through Mexico or Panama after DHS cutoff dates.
- Applicants with criminal records or who failed national security checks.
- Those who had received a removal order within the previous five years.
- Unaccompanied minors, i.e., traveling without a parent or legal guardian. In those cases, the child was processed as an unaccompanied immigrant minor.
The new rules for the Humanitarian Parole Program now apply only to individual parole requests, which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The current focus prioritizes individuals facing medical emergencies, persecution risks, or extreme humanitarian situations.
Duration and termination of parole
Humanitarian parole is a temporary measure. Its duration depends on the period approved by USCIS and on compliance with the established immigration conditions.
Below is an explanation of when the sponsor’s obligation ends and when the beneficiary’s permission expires.
When does a sponsor’s financial obligation end under humanitarian parole?
Under CHNV, the sponsor’s financial obligation was not indefinite. It ended when the beneficiary met any of the following conditions:
- The beneficiary voluntarily left the United States.
- Violated immigration laws or the terms of admission.
- The two-year period granted by USCIS expired.
Once the permission expired, the beneficiary had to depart the country or seek another form of relief, such as TPS, political asylum, or a family petition, if eligible.
In all cases, remaining in the country after parole expiration could lead to removal proceedings, loss of benefits, and difficulty with future USCIS filings.
When does humanitarian parole end for foreign nationals?
Humanitarian parole for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, or Nicaraguans ended automatically when:
- The beneficiary voluntarily left the United States.
- Violated immigration laws or the terms of admission.
- The two-year period granted by USCIS expired.
After expiration, the person had to depart or request another form of relief, such as TPS, asylum, or a family petition if eligible.
In all scenarios, overstaying after parole expiration could result in removal proceedings, loss of benefits, and difficulty with future immigration processes.
Current alternatives to the Humanitarian Parole Program
After the CHNV program was canceled, humanitarian options available in 2025 became more limited and subject to stronger government oversight.
While legal pathways still exist, they are applied strictly and at agency discretion. They include:
Individual humanitarian parole
- Granted only in exceptional cases such as medical emergencies, extreme humanitarian crises, or significant public benefit.
- Reviewed case by case and requires strong evidence to justify urgency.
- The current administration has narrowed its use and paused several benefits for parolees, prioritizing security and anti-fraud verification.
Family Reunification Parole (FRP)
- Allows temporary entry for relatives of citizens or residents with an approved I-130 petition.
- In 2025 the program operates under enhanced oversight following fraud and security inquiries.
- National Visa Center invitations are required and limited to certain authorized countries.
Family petition: another path to reunification
If your situation fits better under a family-based immigration petition through Form I-130, here are some helpful guides to get started:
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- TPS for Venezuelans was canceled following court rulings in October 2025.
- Only a small group registered before February 2025 keeps temporary work permits through 2026.
- TPS for Haiti and Nicaragua is also under review with possible terminations.
- Each case depends on nationality and DHS’s most recent decisions.
Parole in Place (PIP) for family unity
- Family Unity Parole in Place (Keeping Families Together) was suspended by court order in November 2024, so USCIS is not accepting or adjudicating applications currently.
- Military Parole in Place, however, remains active for spouses, parents, and children of service members, reservists, or veterans. It grants temporary permission to remain and can facilitate adjustment of status.
How Curbelo Law’s immigration lawyers can help
Understanding the Humanitarian Parole Program and what’s available after its suspension can be challenging, especially with constant immigration changes.
At Curbelo Law, our immigration lawyers in New Jersey can guide you at every step. For example:
- Assess eligibility for individual parole, TPS, or family reunification processes.
- Review your background and financial support documentation.
- Properly prepare USCIS forms and submit the right evidence.
Attorney Carolina Theresa Curbelo has extensive experience with humanitarian processes and family reunification for Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, providing support across a wide range of immigration matters.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation and to identify the best legal pathway for your situation.
