End to programs that provide access to safe pathways to protection could exacerbate pressure on the border; harm families and the economy.
New York, NY, January 22, 2025 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is concerned about the implications of the Trump Administration’s decision to limit the use of humanitarian parole, including by ending the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan “CHNV” parole program. The IRC believes this action may harm families, damage the economy and further strain the US border and immigration systems.
Rather than ending these programs, the IRC encourages the administration and US Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to expand and improve safe and orderly pathways to protection.
Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) at the IRC said: “Humanitarian parole programs are proven to work. They provide safe pathways to protection and reduce pressure on the border. Ending parole programs poses real harm to families, the economy, and order at the border.”
The use of humanitarian parole has proven extremely effective in providing safe pathways as an alternative to irregular border crossings. After implementing the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela (CHNV), along with CBP One appointment scheduling, encounters of CHNV nationals between ports of entry dropped 98%.