The Trump administration announced on Friday the termination of the family reunification parole program for Cuba, along with similar programs for Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras.
Specifically for Cuba, the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program, established in 2007 during George W. Bush's presidency (2001-2009), allowed U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for temporary stay permits, known as paroles, to quickly bring their family members from Cuba to the United States.
This program enabled family members with approved petitions to enter the U.S. before their visa became available, granting them the opportunity to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act later on.
Immigration attorney Mayron Gallardo emphasized that this change does not affect I-130 family petitions, which will continue to progress as usual.
What has been eliminated is the fast-track option that allowed thousands to bypass years of waiting by entering with parole while their process continued, Gallardo explained during a conversation with journalist Mario J. Pentón.
With this pathway closed, those wishing to immigrate must now adhere to the standard timelines of the consular system.
According to a decision set to be published in the Federal Register on Monday, all paroles granted under these programs will automatically expire on January 14, 2026, unless individuals have filed an I-485 adjustment of status application before December 15, 2025, and it remains pending on that date.
These individuals will maintain their parole until their application is either approved or denied. If denied, the parole will be immediately revoked.
Gallardo cautioned that, except for Cubans who can adjust status despite unlawful presence due to the Cuban Adjustment Act, those who are not immediate relatives and remain in the country after their parole expires will begin accruing unlawful presence, complicating future immigration processes.
For these cases, the alternative is to leave the U.S. before the parole expires and wait in their home country for the visa to become available.
The Department of Homeland Security claims these programs allowed entries with insufficient vetting and insists that parole should revert to a “case-by-case” basis.
In the meantime, thousands of families find themselves caught between unfinished processes, abrupt deadlines, and a drastically more uncertain immigration landscape.
Impact of Ending the Cuban Family Reunification Parole
What is the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program?
The CFRP program was established to allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to expedite bringing their family members from Cuba to the United States through temporary stay permits before their visa became available.
How does the end of the CFRP program affect Cuban immigrants?
Without the CFRP program, Cuban immigrants must follow the standard immigration process and wait for visa availability, potentially prolonging family reunification and complicating their status if they remain in the U.S. beyond their parole expiration.
What are the implications for those with pending I-485 applications?
Individuals with pending I-485 applications filed before December 15, 2025, can maintain their parole until their application is decided. If denied, their parole is immediately canceled, requiring them to leave the country or risk accruing unlawful presence.