A Complete Shutdown of FRP Programs: Modernized and Legacy
On December 15, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of all Family Reunification Parole (FRP) programs. This applies to:
- Modernized FRP programs launched or updated in 2023 for:
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- All legacy FRP programs, including earlier versions for Cuba (2007) and Haiti (2014) that remained in limited use.
This final rule was published in the Federal Register and reflects the administration’s decision to end all categorical parole processes tied to family reunification.
What Were FRP Programs Designed To Do?
Family Reunification Parole programs allowed eligible foreign nationals with approved I-130 petitions to:
- Request advance travel authorization, and
- Enter the United States temporarily under parole while waiting for their visa priority date.
This gave families a chance to reunite lawfully and earlier than traditional visa processing would allow. The modernized 2023 versions, which used Form I-134A, offered a digital pathway to streamline the process.
What’s Ending and When
According to the DHS notice:
- All FRP programs were terminated effective December 15, 2025.
- Individuals already paroled into the U.S. under FRP will see their parole expire on January 14, 2026, unless they qualify for a listed exception.
- Employment authorization connected to FRP parole will also end unless the individual gains another lawful status.
This termination affects all countries previously covered and ends both pending applications and continued use of these parole mechanisms.
Why DHS Is Ending FRP Programs
This decision follows Executive Order 14165: “Securing Our Borders”, signed by President Trump in January 2025. The order directed DHS to eliminate categorical parole programs that are inconsistent with national priorities.
DHS also cited several operational and security concerns:
- Inadequate security screening prior to travel
- Limited biometric collection before beneficiaries boarded commercial flights
- Gaps in background checks compared to standard consular processing
- Redundancy with existing visa pathways that provide more rigorous vetting
DHS concluded that FRP programs no longer meet the statutory threshold of “significant public benefit” under INA §212(d)(5)(A).
Who Is Affected
The following groups are directly impacted:
- Foreign nationals abroad with pending FRP authorization
- Individuals in the U.S. under FRP parole whose status will expire on January 14, 2026
- Petitioners with approved I-130s expecting parole-based reunification
- U.S.-based supporters who submitted Form I-134A on behalf of family members
Exceptions and Limited Continuation
Two exceptions apply to the termination:
- Form I-485 Filing
- If a parolee files for Adjustment of Status using Form I-485 by December 15, 2025, and the application is still pending on January 14, 2026, their parole status will not expire until a decision is issued.
- Case-by-Case Re-Parole
- The Secretary of Homeland Security may grant re-parole for individuals based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. This is not automatic and must be reviewed individually.
What You Should Do Now
If you or your family members are affected, consider taking the following actions immediately:
- Determine whether you are eligible to file Form I-485 and complete the filing before December 15, 2025
- If abroad, prepare to proceed through consular processing rather than parole
- Do not travel internationally on soon-to-expire FRP status without legal counsel
- Speak with an immigration attorney to evaluate options such as adjustment of status, consular processing, or humanitarian parole
Family Reunification Without FRP
The end of the FRP programs does not end the ability to reunite with family members in the U.S., but it does remove a significant shortcut. Petitioners and beneficiaries must now rely on standard immigration channels including:
- Family-based immigrant visa processing
- Wait times based on priority dates and visa bulletin availability
- Eligibility-based applications for adjustment of status when applicable
These paths can be lengthy and complex. Legal guidance is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The DHS termination of all Family Reunification Parole programs closes a critical chapter in humanitarian immigration. The affected programs once offered a practical, family-centered mechanism to promote lawful migration and ease hardship. As of now, all existing and modernized FRP programs are no longer available.
This decision impacts thousands of families from countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. The final cutoff dates are fast approaching. Those currently in the U.S. or planning to enter must act quickly to preserve lawful status and avoid long-term consequences.
If you are unsure of your options or next steps, consult an immigration attorney immediately. The window to transition out of FRP is closing quickly.
