The United States announced Friday the termination of humanitarian family reunification immigration programs for nationals of Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras, as well as their immediate families, 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.
Family reunification program terminated
Thus, immigrants covered by this benefit will have to leave the United States in mid-January if they lack any other legal alternative to stay in the country.
The Administration indicated that these programs were misused, allowing unverified individuals to circumvent the traditional process for obtaining such immigration protection.
According to the FRP, it will return to a case-by-case scheme, as established by Congress, according to the statement.
The measure, published in the Federal Register, seeks to reduce risks of fraud and abuse and to prioritize national and public safety, he stressed.
He explained that if an immigrant’s FRP benefit has not yet expired as of January 14, it will terminate on that date.
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
Dona y cambia vidas
That is unless you have an application for permanent residence filed before December 15, 2025 and 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 informed that the 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 depart prior to the termination date and may use the CBP Home application to report their departure.
The government said it will offer incentives such as financial assistance, help with travel documents and waiver of civil penalties to those who qualify.
With information from EFE
