What is humanitarian parole?

For nearly 70 years, the U.S. has used humanitarian parole to provide safety to people facing dire humanitarian crises. These parole pathways have previously supported Ukrainians fleeing war, people escaping violence in Latin America and Afghans who aided U.S. operations in Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, all humanitarian parole programs have been terminated, meaning that individuals can no longer arrive through these legal pathways. While humanitarian parole is still available on a case-by-case basis, it remains unclear if and when the Trump administration will use this authority to provide safe pathways to individuals or families.

Eliminating these types of programs, or not allowing people to extend their parole, would push families toward danger, damage the American economy and land people into legal uncertainty.

Editor’s note: On March 25, DHS prematurely revoked parole status for hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who legally reside in the U.S. This decision will harm families, damage the economy and further strain the already overburdened asylum system and immigration courts. The IRC encourages the administration and US Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to expand and improve safe and orderly pathways to protection.

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Understanding humanitarian parole

Humanitarian parole allows people to temporarily enter the U.S. due to urgent humanitarian reasons.

With the exception of some Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, people granted parole are not automatically allowed to work in the U.S. Research shows that humanitarian parolees contribute to the American economy and quickly achieve self-sufficiency.

For generations, humanitarian parole has been a critical lifeline for people fleeing life-threatening situations and remains an important part of the American humanitarian and immigration system.

Two women walk down the street together in Wichita, Kansas. They share a smile and are dressed in warm clothes.

Victoria (right) is a humanitarian parolee from Ukraine. Wizie (left) and her husband are helping Victoria’s family adjust to their new life in Kansas.

Photo: Andrew Oberstadt for the IRC

Who is eligible for humanitarian parole?

Humanitarian parole is granted on a case-by-case basis. It may be granted to individuals who can demonstrate they have an urgent need for safety.

Recent humanitarian parole programs

CHNV program offered crucial assistance and safety to people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, significantly reducing border arrivals prior to its termination on January 20, 2025.
Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) provided a pathway to safety for Ukrainians fleeing the war in their home country. Many Ukrainians were granted parole status for up to two years before the program was suspended on January 27, 2025.
Operation Allies Welcome assisted vulnerable Afghans, including those who supported the U.S. operations in Afghanistan. The U.S. granted parole status to tens of thousands of people evacuated from Afghanistan after the withdrawal of American troops in 2021.

Two sisters embrace after they are reunited at an airport in the U.S.

Sanowbar (left) reunites with her daughter Sitara at the Salt Lake City airport, after being separated for two years. Sanowbar was resettled as part of Operation Allies Welcome.

Photo: James Roh for the IRC

What are the benefits of humanitarian parole?

Everyone benefits from humanitarian parole. Parole provides a critical safe pathway for people in crisis, strengthens the U.S. economy, and can ease strains on the immigration system and border arrivals.

It’s simple: humanitarian parole saves lives and makes the U.S. stronger.

Reduce strain at the border

Humanitarian parole programs have proven highly effective in providing legal pathways to safety while reducing irregular border crossings.

For example, according to the Department of Homeland Security, the CHNV parole program, combined with CBP One appointment scheduling, resulted in a 98% decrease in border encounters with Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan nationals.

Similarly, the Uniting for Ukraine program drastically reduced the number of Ukrainians seeking protection at the U.S. southern border. Encounters of Ukrainian nationals fell from over 20,000 in April 2022 to just 21 in November 2024.

Economic benefits

Studies show that programs like Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) and the parole program for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) have positively benefited the U.S. economy due to the rapid self-sufficiency of parolees, who have become quick contributors to local economies. Approximately 80% of CHNV parolees are either employed or actively seeking work, with many contributing to industries struggling with ongoing labor shortages. Additionally, 67% of Afghan parolees employed with the support of the IRC are under the age of 35, helping to bridge gaps in the nation’s aging workforce.

A dental assistant reviews x-rays in an office, located in San Diego, CA.

Yuliaa*, a humanitarian parolee from Ukraine, works as a general dental assistant in San Diego. She is currently studying to transfer her dental credentials to the U.S., which will allow her to continue her career as a dentist.

Photo: Ariana Drehsler for the IRC

Improving pathways to safety

Humanitarian parole provides a safe, legal way for people in crisis to find protection. Receiving parole can be life-changing, offering vulnerable people the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Ultimately, better pathways to safety save lives and strengthen our communities.

A mother pushes her daughter on a swing set on a sunny day in San Diego, CA.

Yuliaa’s life was uprooted when war came to her hometown, Kharkiv, Ukraine. Now, resettled as humanitarian parolees in San Diego, California, Yuliaa and her family are rebuilding their lives.

Photo: Ariana Drehsler for the IRC

Protecting humanitarian parole

The IRC is concerned about decisions to limit the use of humanitarian parole, including ending the CHNV parole program. Terminating humanitarian parole programs or letting people’s parole status expire will harm families, damage the economy and push people into legal uncertainty.

For many parolees, returning to their home countries is not a viable option due to significant safety, legal and logistical obstacles.

We ask the President to keep in place humanitarian protections for people from Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, Ukraine, Venezuela and other countries, who are currently residing in the US. It is not yet safe for them to return home and it would be wrong to return them to danger.

How you can help

Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC, which support humanitarian parolees as they integrate into their new communities. Your donation can empower our work in the U.S. and more than 40 countries worldwide.