In this context, parole is a type of permission that DHS can give when you ask to be allowed into the U.S. It allows you to stay here for a period of time, and it also allows you to apply for a work permit.

For some types of parole, like for people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela, a court decision blocking the termination of parole means that the DHS notice of termination does not apply.

Also, the way that DHS is trying to terminate individual parole might not be correct, so there might be ways to challenge individual termination notices.

The notice might not actually apply to you, if you applied for certain immigration benefits.

If you applied for asylum, you have the right to stay here and continue pursuing your asylum claim.

If you applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) during the first 30 days of the registration period and now your application is still pending, you have the right to stay here and continue pursuing your TPS claim.

If you are approved for TPS, you have the right to stay here while you have TPS.

If you have a work permit based on parole, the category on the front of the card will say C11. Once your parole is terminated, your work permit is terminated as well, even though the expiration date might still show a future date.

But the termination of some types of parole was blocked by court order, so in those cases the work permits are still ok to use.

If you entered the U.S. with parole, and DHS terminated your parole, and if you entered the U.S. less than 2 years ago, DHS might try to deport you through a fast process called “expedited removal.”

The DHS agency in charge of deportations is Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If you are afraid to live in your home country, be sure to say that to ICE, if you have an encounter with them. This is especially important to do if you are facing “expedited removal.”

What happens if you have an encounter with ICE depends on the facts of your particular situation. To learn about your rights in general if you have an encounter with ICE, see our ICE Encounters factsheet.

Here’s the language of a typical parole termination notice:

Notice of Termination of Parole

It is time for you to leave the United States.

You are currently here because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paroled you into the United States for a limited period. Pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) and 8 C.F.R. § 212.5(e), DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole. Unless it expires sooner, your parole will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice.

If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here. Any benefits you receive in the United States connected with your parole — such as work authorization — will also terminate. You will be subject to potential criminal prosecution, civil fines, and penalties, and any other lawful options available to the federal government.

DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own. You can use the CBP Home mobile app on your phone to make arrangements for your departure. If you are departing the United States via land, you should report your departure once outside the United States via that same app. If you are having trouble reporting your departure via land, visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home for more information about voluntarily reporting your departure.

Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States – the federal government will find you. Please depart the United States immediately.

This resource has been translated and is available for download in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, French, and Spanish.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.