USCIS announced today that it intends to terminate two separate programs which make use of its parole authority – the Haitian Family Reunification Parole program and the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program. The notice will be formally posted for comment in the Federal Register on December 28, 2020.
USCIS intends to end these programs in accordance with the Trump Administration’s position that parole should only be applied on a case-by-case basis. This policy was outlined in the Executive Order Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, issued on January 25, 2017.
Previous administrations have developed guidelines for applying parole authority and other similar types of discretionary power, such as deferred action. The Trump Administration has taken the position that authorizing parole for certain groups is inconsistent with the parole authority. Eliminating the programs would not prevent issuing parole to the qualifying individuals, and the final decision will likely be under the incoming Biden Administration.