The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published on Friday in the Federal Register the notice 2026-21684, proposing to remove from the I-131 Form all boxes and references to the special parole programs that have already been canceled, including CHNV and the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program.
The notice, identified by control number OMB 1615-0013, is an administrative process under the Paperwork Reduction Act and does not constitute a new immigration rule or a new termination of status.
What it does is formally reflect on paper what has already happened in practice: those programs are extinct and their options do not fit into the current form.
For Cubans who arrived in the United States under the CHNV or the 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 evaluate the alternatives that are still available.
What options are available for Cubans with expired parole?
The first and most reliable option is the : those who have been physically present 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 individual re-parole, which is also requested through the I-131, but is determined on a case-by-case basis and only for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
It is not automatic nor 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, set 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 exceptions apply—or other defenses in immigration court.
Former parolees who 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 filed for partial summary judgment in June 2026, and the court has not yet made a ruling.
The CFRP, created in 2007 to allow Cuban family members of citizens or permanent residents to travel while waiting for visa availability, was terminated on December 15, 2025.
A federal court order from Massachusetts issued in January 2026 blocked the early termination of the paroles that had already been granted and their work authorizations; that order remained in effect in October 2026.
In total, it is estimated that more than 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela entered the United States under the CHNV program before its closure.
The public comment period for the review of the I-131 remains open until December 22 on Regulations.gov. Given the complexity of the available options, it is recommended to consult with a before making any decisions.
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