Key Takeaways
• DHS ended CHNV parole programs on April 24, 2025, terminating work authorizations for affected nationals.
• Employees under CHNV parole lost work rights; employers must reverify I-9s and avoid discrimination.
• Pending CHNV parole applications are denied; no replacement program announced by July 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially ended the CHNV parole programs, a move that has brought immediate and far-reaching changes for many immigrants and their employers across the United States 🇺🇸. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for pending and future applications—especially for employees at companies like Tierra Encantada, which has been directly impacted by the policy shift.
Summary of What Changed
On April 24, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security terminated the CHNV parole programs. These programs, which began in January 2023, allowed certain nationals from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 to enter and stay in the United States 🇺🇸 temporarily, provided they had a U.S. sponsor. The parole also came with the ability to apply for work authorization, making it possible for many to legally work for up to two years.
However, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision on May 30, 2025, DHS was allowed to proceed with ending the program, despite earlier legal challenges. As a result, all employment authorizations issued under the CHNV parole programs expired on or before April 24, 2025, whichever came first. This change has left many individuals and employers scrambling to adjust.
Who Is Affected
- Employees: Anyone who received work authorization through the CHNV parole programs, including many at Tierra Encantada, lost their legal right to work in the United States 🇺🇸 as of April 24, 2025, or when their employment authorization card expired, whichever was earlier.
- Employers: Companies like Tierra Encantada that hired workers under the CHNV parole programs must now ensure they are not employing anyone without valid work authorization. Failure to do so could lead to fines and other penalties.
- Pending Applicants: Individuals who applied for CHNV parole but had not yet received approval by the termination date will not be granted parole or work authorization under this program.
- Families and Communities: The sudden loss of work authorization affects not only the individuals directly involved but also their families and the communities that rely on their contributions.
Effective Dates
- Termination Date: April 24, 2025, is the official date when the CHNV parole programs ended.
- Supreme Court Decision: On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court allowed DHS to move forward with the termination.
- Employment Authorization: All work permits issued under CHNV parole expired on or before April 24, 2025.
Required Actions for Employers
Employers must act quickly and carefully to stay compliant with federal law and avoid legal trouble. Here’s what employers like Tierra Encantada need to do:
- Review I-9 Forms: Employers must review their I-9 employment eligibility verification records to identify any employees who were working under CHNV parole.
- Reverify Work Authorization: For those employees, employers must conduct I-9 reverification. This means checking if the employee has another valid work authorization. If not, the employer cannot legally continue their employment.
- Avoid Discrimination: Employers must not ask for specific documents or treat employees differently based on their country of origin or immigration status. Doing so could lead to claims of discrimination or “document abuse” under federal law.
- Seek Legal Advice: Because the rules are complex and the risks are high, employers should consult with immigration attorneys to make sure they are following the law and protecting their business.
- Explore Alternatives: Employers may want to help affected employees find other legal ways to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸, such as applying for different visas or other forms of relief.
Required Actions for Employees
For employees who lost their work authorization due to the end of the CHNV parole programs, the situation is urgent. Here’s what they should do:
- Check myUSCIS Account: Affected individuals will receive notifications through their myUSCIS online accounts about the end of their parole and work authorization.
- Consult an Immigration Attorney: It is important to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible. They can help explore other options, such as applying for a different visa, seeking adjustment of status, or requesting humanitarian relief.
- Gather Documents: Employees should collect all relevant documents, including their expired work permit, proof of their CHNV parole status, and any other immigration paperwork.
- Stay Informed: Keep checking for updates from USCIS and DHS, as new programs or guidance may be announced in the future.
Implications for Pending Applications
If you applied for CHNV parole but had not yet received a decision by April 24, 2025, your application will not be processed. DHS has not announced any replacement program for CHNV nationals as of July 2025. This means that pending applications are effectively closed, and applicants will need to look for other immigration options.
Background and Historical Context
The CHNV parole programs were started in January 2023 by the Biden Administration as a humanitarian response to increased migration from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪. The idea was to provide a safe and legal way for people from these countries to come to the United States 🇺🇸, rather than risking dangerous journeys or irregular entry. To qualify, individuals needed a U.S. sponsor and had to pass security checks.
By January 2025, about 532,000 people had been granted parole under these programs, and many received work authorization. The program was praised by some as a humane solution, but critics—including DHS under the current administration—argued that it hurt American workers and led to increased crime and disorder.
Why the Program Was Ended
DHS described the CHNV parole programs as “disastrous,” saying they undercut American workers and contributed to “chaos and crime.” The Supreme Court’s decision to let DHS end the program followed months of legal battles, including a district court order that had temporarily blocked the termination.
Practical Steps for Employers and Employees
For Employers:
- Conduct I-9 Reverification: Review all I-9 forms for employees who were working under CHNV parole. If their work authorization has expired, you must reverify their status.
- Avoid Discriminatory Practices: Do not ask for specific documents or treat employees differently based on their immigration status or country of origin.
- Seek Legal Guidance: Consult with immigration attorneys to ensure compliance and to explore options for affected employees.
- Plan for Workforce Changes: Be prepared to adjust your workforce if employees cannot provide valid work authorization.
For Employees:
- Monitor myUSCIS Notifications: Stay alert for official messages about your status.
- Consult Legal Experts: Speak with an immigration attorney to discuss your options.
- Consider Other Immigration Pathways: Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for other visas, adjustment of status, or humanitarian relief.
- Prepare for Possible Job Loss: If you cannot get new work authorization, you may need to stop working until you resolve your immigration status.
Key Stakeholders and Official Statements
- Department of Homeland Security: DHS has been clear in its reasoning for ending the CHNV parole programs, focusing on the impact on U.S. labor markets and public safety.
- U.S. Supreme Court: The Court’s decision allowed DHS to move forward with the termination, despite earlier legal challenges.
- Legal Experts: Immigration attorneys and law firms such as Mayer Brown and Meltzer Hellrung have advised employers to update their policies, review I-9 forms, and prepare for workforce changes.
- Employers: Companies like Tierra Encantada are facing the difficult task of balancing legal compliance with the needs of their workforce.
Expert Analysis and Perspectives
Legal experts point out that the end of the CHNV parole programs creates a complex situation for both employers and employees. Employers face the risk of fines if they continue to employ people without valid work authorization. At the same time, asking for specific documents or treating employees differently can lead to claims of discrimination.
Experts recommend that employers:
- Be Proactive: Start reviewing your workforce and I-9 forms immediately.
- Communicate Clearly: Let affected employees know about the changes and encourage them to seek legal help.
- Document Everything: Keep records of all actions taken to show good faith compliance with the law.
For employees, the main advice is to act quickly. The sooner you consult with an immigration attorney, the more options you may have.
Long-Term Implications
The end of the CHNV parole programs signals a shift toward more restrictive immigration policies, especially for humanitarian parole. This could have long-term effects on labor markets, especially in industries that rely on immigrant workers. It also means that immigrant communities may face more uncertainty and fewer legal pathways to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
Employers may need to rethink their hiring strategies and look for other ways to fill positions that were previously held by CHNV parolees. Employees will need to be more proactive in seeking legal status and may face longer waits and more hurdles in the immigration process.
Future Outlook and Pending Developments
As of July 2025, DHS has not announced any new program to replace the CHNV parole programs. This leaves a gap for nationals from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 who are seeking safe and legal ways to enter and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
It is important for both employers and employees to stay informed about any new announcements from USCIS and DHS. Policy changes can happen quickly, and being prepared can make a big difference.
Additional Resources and Contacts
- USCIS myUSCIS Account: Affected individuals should regularly check their myUSCIS account for updates and notifications.
- Legal Help: Immigration law firms such as Meltzer Hellrung and Mayer Brown offer guidance on compliance and immigration options.
- Official Information: For the latest updates and official guidance, visit the USCIS Parole Information page.
- Form I-9: Employers can find the official Form I-9 and instructions on the USCIS website.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
- Employers: Review your workforce, update your I-9 forms, and consult with legal experts. Communicate with affected employees and help them understand their options.
- Employees: Check your myUSCIS account, gather your documents, and speak with an immigration attorney as soon as possible. Explore all possible legal pathways to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Stay Informed: Policy changes can happen quickly. Sign up for updates from USCIS and DHS, and keep in touch with legal experts.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the end of the CHNV parole programs has created a challenging environment for both immigrants and employers. The situation is still developing, and staying informed and proactive is the best way to manage the changes.
Conclusion
The termination of the CHNV parole programs has brought sudden and significant changes for thousands of immigrants and their employers, including those at Tierra Encantada. The Department of Homeland Security’s decision, backed by the Supreme Court, means that work authorization for CHNV parolees has ended, leaving many at risk of job loss and legal uncertainty.
Employers must act quickly to comply with the law, while employees need to seek legal advice and explore other immigration options. With no replacement program announced, the future remains uncertain for many. Staying informed, seeking expert help, and preparing for possible changes are the best steps forward in this new immigration landscape.
Learn Today
CHNV parole programs → Temporary US entry programs for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals with work authorization.
Work authorization → Legal permission allowing noncitizens to work legally in the United States.
I-9 form → Official federal form verifying employment eligibility of workers in the United States.
Reverification → The process employers use to confirm continued employment eligibility for current employees.
Department of Homeland Security → US government agency overseeing immigration, borders, and national security policies.
This Article in a Nutshell
The CHNV parole programs ended April 24, 2025, affecting thousands of workers and employers. Employers must reverify work authorizations, while employees should seek legal advice for alternative immigration options to avoid job loss and legal risks.
— By VisaVerge.com
