Q24N (EFE)— The United States announced last Friday the termination of humanitarian immigration programs for family reunification for nationals of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, as well as for their immediate family members, citing abuses of these protections.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the end of Family Reunification Parole (FRP) for these seven countries.
As a result, immigrants protected by this program must leave the United States by mid-January if they lack any other legal alternative to remain in the country.
The Administration indicated that these programs were misused, allowing poorly vetted individuals to circumvent the traditional process for obtaining immigration protection.
According to the statement, FRP will revert to a case-by-case system, as established by Congress.
The measure, published in the Federal Register, seeks to reduce the risk of fraud and abuse and prioritize national and public security, the statement emphasized.
It explained that if an immigrant’s FRP benefit has not yet expired by January 14, it will end on that date.
This does not apply if they have an application for permanent residence filed before December 15, 2025, that is still pending on January 14. 2026.
If the application is denied, the benefit period will be revoked, and the immigrant must leave the country immediately.
DHS also reported that termination of the program will result in the revocation of the associated employment authorization. Those affected will be notified individually.
Those who do not have legal status to remain in the United States after the programs end must leave before the termination date and can use the CBP Home app to report their departure.
The government indicated that it will offer incentives such as financial assistance, help with travel documents, and waivers of civil fines to those who qualify.