What the end of CHNV parole program means for half-a-million migrants, many in Florida
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way Friday for the Trump administration to end a key humanitarian parole program, known as CHNV, that allowed hundreds of thousands of people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to legally enter the United States. The decision affects more than half-a-million migrants who had been granted temporary legal status, many of whom live in South Florida.
Here’s what you need to know about the ruling and its impact.
What is the CHNV humanitarian program?
The Biden administration decided in early 2023, in an effort to relieve pressure at the U.S. -Mexico border, to offer the parole program to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who followed certain rules: They had to pass background checks, have sponsors in the United States and buy plane tickets to the U.S. The administration allowed a maximum of 30,000 people a month to come under the program, and they would be allowed to stay for two years. By the time CHNV ended in December 2024, more than 500,000 people had come under the program, many of them to South Florida.
What did the Supreme Court decide?
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to lift a federal judge’s injunction that had blocked the government from ending the humanitarian parole program early. This clears the way for the administration to revoke the temporary protection and potentially deport the migrants who came under the program.
Does this mean the early termination of the program is final?
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, ongoing legal challenges remain. A case in a Massachusetts federal court could allow some beneficiaries to stay if a judge’s ruling favors migrants. Previous rulings had also established that parole suspensions should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, which could also create conditions for migrants to argue in favor of being allowed to stay. In addition, legal experts believe that the announcement the government makes in the next few days will shed some light into what legal recourse beneficiaries might have.
How many people are affected by this decision?
A total of 531,690 people are possibly affected. That includes:
110,240 Cubans
211,040 Haitians
93,070 Nicaraguans
117,330 Venezuelans
These individuals entered the U.S. legally through the program since it began in January 2023. Many of them have applied for some other immigration status, such as political asylum or green cards, which may afford them some protection from deportation.
What is the timeline for potential deportations?
The Department of Homeland Security will give migrants a 30-day wind-down period starting from the publication of the termination notice, expected next week. However, DHS can begin deportations at any time, even during the 30 days. Migrants are being urged to voluntarily depart the U.S. and report their departure via a mobile app all used by Customs and Border Protection known as CBP Home..
DHS recently announced a $1,000 stipend and money for a plane ticker for undocumented immigrants who choose to leave the U.S. of their own accord. Do the CHNV migrants qualify for that?
Yes, anyone willing to “self deport” through the CBP Home program qualifies for the stipend. Lawyers, however, are saying that so far very few clients have expressed interest in that program.
Why is the Trump administration ending the program?
The administration argues the program:
Did not improve border security significantly.
Added pressure on interior enforcement.
Led to increased immigration backlogs, with 75,000 parolees applying for asylum.
Caused strain on resources like housing, education, and legal services, especially in states like Florida.
Officials also say the program is inconsistent with Trump’s foreign policy goals and has outlived its purpose.
Who is at immediate risk of deportation?
DHS will prioritize deporting individuals who:
Have not filed for asylum, adjustment of status, or Temporary Protected Status before the notice is published.
Are not beneficiaries of an immigration petition filed on their behalf, for example by a relative or an employer.
Those who already obtained a legal immigration status will not be required to leave.
Can affected migrants still apply for asylum or another status?
It’s complicated. The administration says applications to adjust status are on hold. Immigration attorneys argue this could contradict existing legal protections for asylum seekers. Regardless, anyone affected should consult an immigration attorney.
What happens to migrants with valid work permits?
Work authorizations issued under the program will be canceled. DHS says that once the parole is revoked, the legal basis for those permits no longer exists. This means:
People will lose legal employment status.
They may become undocumented and subject to expedited removal, especially if they live near the border and have been in the U.S. for less than two years.
What should migrants do if they cannot safely return to their home countries?
The government has not offered a clear answer. However, the Trump administration says it’s negotiating with Latin American countries to receive deportees. For example, Panama recently accepted a U.S. military flight with 119 deportees, who were then repatriated to their home countries.
Is the government really planning mass deportations?
Yes. DHS has stated its intent to promptly deport any migrants who:
Do not leave before their parole expires.
Do not have another legal immigration status.
What happens to people’s property, rent and investments in the U.S.?
The administration acknowledges that many people sold property abroad or invested in homes, cars, and jobs in the U.S. But the official position is that the program was always temporary, and participants knew it could be terminated at any time.
Miami Herald staff writers Jacqueline Charles and Syra Ortiz Blanes contributed to this story.
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM.
