The Department of Homeland Security announced it is ending all categorical family reunification parole (FRP) programs for aliens from 7 countries, including Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, along with their immediate family members.“This administration is ending the abuse of humanitarian parole which allowed poorly vetted aliens to circumvent the traditional parole process,” DHS said in a statement. The department added that ‘America First’ is priority: “Parole was never intended to be used in this way, and DHS is returning parole to a case-by-case basis as intended by Congress. Ending the FRP programs is a necessary return to common-sense policies and a return to America First.” DHS said that family reunification is important, but it does not outweigh the government’s duty to prevent fraud and uphold national security and public safety. The DHS cited security gaps in the FRP programs, which were caused by insufficient vetting, allowing malicious actors to exploit them and harm native Americans.How will the termination be implemented?A Federal Register notice guides how the termination will be implemented. Aliens currently paroled under the FRP programs whose parole has not yet expired as of January 14, 2026, will see it end on that date, unless they have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, postmarked or electronically filed on or before December 15 2025, and still pending on January 14, 2026. If the Form I-485 is approved, parole remains valid until the earlier of the parole period expiration or the final decision on the application. Denials will require immediate departure from the US.DHS will also revoke employment authorisation linked to terminated parole and notify each affected alien individually. Those without a lawful basis to remain must leave before the parole termination date. DHS adviced the departing aliens to use the CBP (C
