Key Takeaways
• Supreme Court ruled 7-2 allowing DHS to end the CHNV parole program by April 24, 2025.
• Over 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entered under CHNV parole since 2022.
• Work permits (EADs) under CHNV parole may be revoked; employers must verify employee work authorization.
On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a major decision that affects thousands of people from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 who entered the United States 🇺🇸 under the CHNV parole program. The Court’s 7-2 ruling allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to move forward with ending the program, even as legal battles continue in lower courts. This decision has left many immigrants, their families, and employers uncertain about what comes next.
Below, we break down what happened, why it matters, and what affected individuals and employers need to know right now.
What Is the CHNV Parole Program?
The CHNV parole program was started by the Biden administration to give people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela a way to enter the United States 🇺🇸 temporarily. The program began in October 2022 for Venezuelans and expanded in January 2023 to include the other three countries. It was created under Section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which lets the Secretary of Homeland Security allow certain noncitizens to enter the country for urgent humanitarian reasons or if it benefits the public.
Key points about the CHNV parole program:
– It allowed people from these four countries, plus their immediate family members, to enter the United States 🇺🇸 for a limited time.
– Those who entered could apply for work permits, called Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), in the (c)(11) category.
– According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 500,000 people used this program to come to the United States 🇺🇸.
Timeline: How Did We Get Here?
The legal and policy changes around the CHNV parole program have moved quickly. Here’s a summary of the main events:
- October 2024: The Biden administration announced it would not extend legal status for people who entered under the CHNV parole program.
- March 20, 2025: DHS published a notice in the Federal Register saying the CHNV parole program would end by April 24, 2025.
- April 14, 2025: U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani temporarily stopped the government from ending the program nationwide, saying courts could review the decision to end the program for everyone at once.
- April 17, 2025: USCIS told applicants that termination notices sent to CHNV parolees were on hold and not in effect.
- May 5, 2025: The First Circuit Court of Appeals refused to let the Trump administration move forward with ending the program.
- May 8, 2025: DHS asked the Supreme Court to step in and allow the program to end.
- May 28, 2025: The Massachusetts federal court ordered DHS not to stop processing applications for re-parole or other immigration benefits from CHNV parolees.
- May 30, 2025: The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request, letting DHS move ahead with ending the program.
- June 4-9, 2025: Legal experts and government agencies published updates about what the Supreme Court’s decision means and how it might be put into practice.
What Did the Supreme Court Decide?
The Supreme Court’s decision did not end the legal fight over the CHNV parole program, but it did allow DHS to start winding down the program while the case continues in the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court’s order means that the government can now enforce its earlier plan to end the program and revoke the work permits and parole status of those who entered under it.
Justices Jackson and Sotomayor dissented, meaning they disagreed with the majority’s decision to let the program end while the case is still being argued.
What Happens Now? Implementation Remains Unclear
As of June 10, 2025, it’s not clear exactly how or when DHS will carry out the Supreme Court’s decision. The Court’s order lets DHS move forward with ending the program, but the agency has not yet given detailed instructions to affected individuals or employers.
Here are the main issues people are facing:
1. Employment Authorization
- Work permits (EADs) issued under the CHNV parole program may no longer be valid, even if the card has not expired yet.
- This affects people who got their EADs in the (c)(11) category through the CHNV program.
- Employers may need to check if their employees’ work authorization is still valid.
2. Notification Process
- People whose parole is ended and whose work permits are revoked will get a notice in their myUSCIS account.
- It’s important for affected individuals to check their accounts regularly for updates.
3. Pending Applications
- There is confusion about what happens to applications for re-parole or other benefits that were already submitted.
- The district court ordered DHS not to stop processing these applications, but the Supreme Court’s decision may override this.
- Some applicants report that their cases are listed as “administrative hold” on the USCIS website.
4. Administrative Holds
- Because of the legal back-and-forth, some people’s applications are stuck in limbo.
- Plaintiffs have asked the court to hold a hearing to force DHS to explain what is happening with these cases.
Official Statements and Political Positions
After the Supreme Court’s decision, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement supporting the end of the CHNV parole program. She criticized the Biden administration for allowing over half a million people from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 to enter the United States 🇺🇸, saying it hurt American workers and public safety.
The statement reflects the Trump administration’s view that ending the program is necessary to restore “common-sense policies” and put “America First.”
Legal Arguments: What Are Both Sides Saying?
The legal fight over the CHNV parole program is about more than just one group of immigrants. It raises big questions about how much power the government has to let people enter the country temporarily and how courts can review those decisions.
Government’s Position:
– The Trump administration, through Solicitor General D. John Sauer, argued that the lower court’s order blocked one of its most important immigration policy changes.
– The government says the law only allows for case-by-case parole, not large programs for whole groups of people.
Plaintiffs’ Position:
– The people affected by the program’s end say the government is trying to “illegalize” hundreds of thousands of people at once.
– They argue that everyone in the program followed the rules and was approved individually, so ending the program for everyone is unfair and will hurt families, employers, and communities.
Judge Talwani’s Ruling:
– Judge Talwani agreed that courts can’t review decisions to end parole for one person, but said they can review decisions to end a whole program at once.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Employers?
The Supreme Court’s decision has real consequences for people who entered under the CHNV parole program and for the businesses that employ them.
For Immigrants
- Loss of Legal Status: Unless another court order changes things, people who entered under the CHNV program will lose their parole status as of April 24, 2025, even if their original grant was for a longer period.
- Work Authorization: Their work permits may no longer be valid, which means they could lose their jobs.
- Pending Applications: If they applied for re-parole or other benefits, their cases may be on hold or denied, depending on how DHS implements the Supreme Court’s order.
For Employers
- Reverification Required: Employers must check if their employees who came under the CHNV program still have valid work authorization. If not, they may need to update their records or let the employees go.
- Legal Risks: Hiring someone without valid work authorization can lead to fines and other penalties.
For Families and Communities
- Family Separation: Families could be split up if some members lose their status and others do not.
- Community Impact: Many CHNV parolees have become part of their local communities, working, paying taxes, and sending their children to school. Losing legal status could disrupt these communities.
What Should Affected Individuals and Employers Do Now?
Given the uncertainty, it’s important for both immigrants and employers to take steps to protect themselves.
For Individuals
- Check your myUSCIS account for any new notices about your parole or work permit.
- Consult with an immigration lawyer or a trusted legal aid group to understand your options.
- Keep copies of all documents related to your parole and work authorization.
- Monitor official DHS and USCIS updates for new guidance.
For Employers
- Review your employees’ work authorization documents.
- Follow the rules for reverifying employment eligibility. You can find official guidance on the USCIS I-9 Central page.
- Communicate with affected employees about any changes and encourage them to seek legal advice.
What Happens Next in the Courts?
The Supreme Court’s decision is not the end of the legal process. Here’s what to expect:
- First Circuit Court of Appeals: The main case will continue in this court, where both sides will argue about whether the government can end the CHNV parole program.
- District Court Oversight: The Massachusetts district court is still involved in making sure DHS follows the law when handling pending applications.
- Possible Further Appeals: Depending on what happens in the First Circuit, the case could return to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
- DHS Guidance: The Department of Homeland Security is expected to issue more detailed instructions soon about how it will carry out the end of the program.
Where to Find Official Information
For the most up-to-date and accurate information, always check official government sources. The Department of Homeland Security regularly posts updates about parole programs and related immigration policies. You can visit the DHS Parole Programs page for more details.
If you need to check the status of your work permit or parole, log in to your myUSCIS account.
For information about employment authorization and the I-9 process, visit the USCIS I-9 Central page.
Analysis and Outlook
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Supreme Court’s decision creates a lot of uncertainty for both immigrants and employers. The lack of clear guidance from DHS means that many people do not know if they can keep working, stay in the country, or apply for other benefits. The legal fight is far from over, and more changes could come as the case moves through the courts.
For now, the most important thing is to stay informed, check official sources, and seek legal help if you are affected. Employers should be careful to follow all rules about work authorization to avoid penalties.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court’s May 30, 2025 decision allows DHS to end the CHNV parole program, but how and when this will happen is still unclear.
- People who entered under the program may lose their legal status and work permits, even if their documents have not expired.
- Employers must check the work authorization of affected employees and follow official guidance.
- The legal battle continues in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and more changes are possible.
- Stay updated by checking official government websites and consulting with legal professionals.
The situation around the CHNV parole program is changing quickly. If you or someone you know is affected, keep checking for updates and take steps to protect your rights and your future in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
CHNV parole program → Temporary entry program for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela nationals initiated by the Biden administration in 2022.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) → A government-issued card allowing immigrants to legally work in the United States temporarily.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → Federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and managing parole programs like CHNV.
Parole status → Temporary permission to enter or stay in the U.S. for humanitarian or public benefits reasons.
First Circuit Court of Appeals → Federal appellate court reviewing legal disputes including the CHNV parole program termination.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Supreme Court’s 2025 decision permits DHS to terminate the CHNV parole program, impacting over half a million immigrants from four countries. Uncertainty remains as work authorizations may end and pending cases face delays, affecting families and employers nationwide amid ongoing legal battles and unclear implementation plans.
— By VisaVerge.com
