On Oct. 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule in the Federal Register establishing a new $1,000 immigration parole fee required by the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act. That same day, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed immediate implementation for some individuals who are granted parole, re-parole, or parole…

On March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of the parole processes for citizens or nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV parole programs). This decision will affect employers who must navigate the employment eligibility of affected individuals while ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination provisions outlined in the Immigration and…

On Aug. 19, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented the Keeping Families Together process for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to request parole. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept requests using the new electronic Form I-131F. As background, parole is an exercise of DHS’ discretionary authority to allow…

On March 10, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued an announcement with comprehensive guidance on parole for international entrepreneurs. This program provides an opportunity for some foreign nationals who may not meet the more rigorous requirements of legacy U.S. investor visa programs.

USCIS will now use its discretionary parole authority to issue, on a…

On March 13, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an automatic extension of parole for certain Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members. DHS will consider extended parole and employment authorization (if applicable) on a case-by-case basis for Ukrainian nationals and immediate families who were paroled before Uniting for Ukraine took effect.

All…

The Biden administration has announced the expansion of its Venezuela Parole program to three additional countries – Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. On Jan. 5, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced an expansion of its new migration process for Venezuelan nationals. The expansion allows those nationals from Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua and their immediate family members…

Effective Nov. 21, 2022, USCIS announced that certain Afghan and Ukrainian beneficiaries paroled into the United States are employment authorized incident to parole. These beneficiaries do not need USCIS approval of work authorization to begin working in the United States. As USCIS processing times on employment authorization documents (EADs) for these beneficiaries have taken as…

On Oct. 12, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new migration process for Venezuelan nationals. Eligible Venezuelan nationals and their immediate family members may request advance authorization for travel and temporary parole for up to two years in the United States, including work authorization. Parolees must have a supporter in the United States…