The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published on Friday in the Federal Register the notice 2026-21684 proposing to remove all boxes and references to the special parole programs that have already been canceled from the Form I-131, including the CHNV and the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program.
The notice, identified with control number OMB 1615-0013, is an administrative procedure under the Paperwork Reduction Act and does not constitute a new immigration rule nor a new termination of status.
What it does is formally reflect on paper what has already occurred in practice: those programs are extinct, and their options do not fit within the current form.
For Cubans who arrived in the United States under the CHNV or CFRP, the notice officially confirms that there is no group parole mechanism available.
Those with expired or revoked parole who have not regularized their immigration status must urgently assess the alternatives that are still available.
What options remain for Cubans with expired parole?
The first and most solid option is the : those who have maintained physical presence in the United States for at least one year since their entry with parole can apply for permanent residency using Form I-485.
The subsequent expiration of the parole does not erase the historical fact of having been admitted under that status.
The second option is the individual re-parole, which is also requested through the I-131, but is decided on a case-by-case basis and only for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
It is not automatic or guaranteed, and from October 16, 2026, the fee will rise to $1,050, charged at the time USCIS grants the parole, not at the time of application. These fees, established by the law known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," are not subject to exemptions.
Those who have not yet completed the required year of presence should consider applying for asylum—which must be requested within the first year of entry, unless there are exceptions—or other defenses in immigration court.
Those who were formerly paroled and entered through an official port of entry also retain protection against expedited deportation.
Context: the end of the programs
The CHNV program was officially canceled by the Department of Homeland Security on March 25, 2025, with an effective termination date for individual paroles on April 24 of that year.
The Supreme Court upheld that decision on May 30, 2025. The underlying litigation, known as Doe v. Noem, remains ongoing: the plaintiffs sought partial summary judgment in June 2026, and the court has not yet ruled.
The CFRP, established in 2007 to allow Cuban family members of citizens or permanent residents to travel while awaiting visa availability, was terminated on December 15, 2025.
A federal court order from Massachusetts issued in January 2026 blocked the early termination of granted paroles and their employment authorizations; that order remained in effect in October 2026.
In total, it is estimated that over 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entered the United States under the CHNV before its termination.
The public comment period on the I-131 review remains open until December 22 on Regulations.gov. Due to the complexity of the available options, it is recommended to consult with a before making any decisions.
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