The Biden administration is implementing a new strategy to manage immigration and expand legal pathways to the United States. To begin with, this includes increasing resources at the border and scaling up anti-smuggling operations. Furthermore, it enhances cooperation with border cities and NGOs. A key element of this new approach is the use of humanitarian parole, a legal tool that allows certain individuals to enter the U.S. temporarily. Therefore, The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has responded positively to the administration’s announcement. This announcement broadens these parole programs for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV).
Legal Pathways with Parole Strategy — what parole is, when it helps, and practical next steps
Parole is a discretionary immigration tool that allows DHS to permit a noncitizen to enter or remain in the United States temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Parole is not admission and is granted case-by-case (or sometimes by group/program), so it creates important short-term protections (including eligibility for work authorization in many programs) but does not guarantee permanent status by itself.
How parole is being used today
- DHS/USCIS use parole for individual humanitarian cases and for group programs (e.g., special parole initiatives). Parole programs can open rapid pathways to safety when other visas or refugee flows are not available.
- Parole is discretionary and program availability can change quickly with administration policy and litigation; monitor DHS/USCIS announcements.
Immediate steps
- Screen for parole suitability and gather emergency facts and supporting documents.
- Assemble evidence per USCIS guidance (ID, sponsor affidavit, medical records, corroboration).
- Draft legal justification and prepare parallel filings (asylum, family petition, waivers) where viable.
- Plan for contingencies in case parole status is paused or revoked.