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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday the cancellation of all Family Reunification Permit (FRP) programs benefiting citizens of Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, as well as their immediate family members.
The decision ends a policy that allowed applicants to enter the country temporarily while processing their immigration procedures, under a mechanism known as humanitarian parole.
The official statement from DHS states that this measure aims to “put an end to the abuse of the humanitarian permit process” and restore case-by-case review, as was originally intended by the U.S. Congress.
The agency pointed out that the FRP programs had allowed the entry of foreigners without thorough security investigations or background checks, which posed an unacceptable risk to national security.
"The temporary stay permit was never intended to be used in this manner, and DHS is reinstating the issuance of these permits on a case-by-case basis. The cancellation of the FRP programs is a necessary return to common-sense policies and the principle of 'America First,'" the statement indicated.
The DHS justified the decision by noting that the programs had security gaps that could be exploited by "wrongdoers and fraudsters." It emphasized that the government's priority is "the safety, protection, and financial and economic well-being of Americans."
Effective cancellation and consequences for the beneficiaries
According to the notification published in the Federal Register, the temporary stay permits granted under the FRP programs will be canceled on January 14, 2026, unless the beneficiary has a pending Application for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) submitted on or before December 15, 2025.
If there is a pending application, the permit will remain valid until it expires or until the DHS makes a final decision on the case. If the application is denied, the permit will be revoked, and the foreigner must leave the United States immediately.
Likewise, when the permit is canceled, the employment authorization derived from it will also be revoked. The DHS indicated that it will notify each affected person individually.
The Department urged foreigners without a legal basis to remain in the country to leave the U.S. before their permits expire. Those who do so voluntarily can report their departure through the CBP Home app and, in some cases, access incentives such as exit bonuses, financial assistance, and help with travel documents.
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