Policy Updates

Yes. The Welcome Corps is a U.S. State Department program that empowers Americans to sponsor refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

According to the policy change issued by President Trump’s administration, beginning on Jan. 27, 2025, refugee processing is paused until further notice, except for case-by-case exceptions.

Refugees who have already arrived in the U.S. through the Welcome Corps are not affected by this policy announcement and are not at risk of losing their status.

Yes, the Welcome Corps website is still accepting applications at this time, although according to the policy changes issued by President Trump’s administration, beginning on Jan. 27, 2025, refugee processing is paused until further notice.

According to the policy changes issued by President Trump’s administration, beginning on Jan. 27, 2025, refugee processing is paused until further notice. This includes refugee processing for applicants through the Welcome Corps.

Importantly, the new policy notes that exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

Click here to consult our sponsor guide to contacting your congressional representative for more information about requesting a case review.

As of Jan. 27, 2025, refugees will not be approved for travel during the suspension without a case-by-case review.

Visit the Welcome Corps help page to search for answers or browse common questions.

You can also click here for Welcome.US’s guide for sponsors interested in checking their case status by requesting constituent services through their congressional representatives.

Humanitarian parole is meant for urgent crises for which people may need immediate safety, like the situations in Ukraine, Haiti, and other countries. Humanitarian parole is a temporary immigration status that allows individuals facing urgent humanitarian crises to enter the U.S. legally. It is a discretionary status that can be ended at any time by executive order. Newcomers who arrive through humanitarian parole are granted status for up to two years. Newcomers with humanitarian parole should strongly consider applying for more durable legal status, such as asylum.

The incoming administration has said it will end humanitarian parole programs and possibly revoke the legal status for the people who have already arrived through the humanitarian parole program.

Humanitarian parole is a temporary immigration status that allows individuals facing urgent humanitarian crises to enter the U.S. legally. It is a discretionary status that can be granted or ended at any time by executive order of the president.

On Jan. 20, President Trump’s administration announced an executive order ending the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV program). The new administration’s decision to end the CHNV program means Americans cannot submit new applications to sponsor individuals fleeing violence and persecution in these countries. It is unclear at this time whether the new administration will continue to process the applications Americans have already submitted.

There have been no specific announcements regarding Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) so the status of this program remains uncertain.

Sponsors seeking information about applications they have submitted may seek constituent services from their congressional representatives to inquire about the status of their application. Click here to consult our sponsor guide on contacting your congressional representative for help.

The U.S. government’s decision to end the program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans means Americans cannot submit new applications to sponsor individuals fleeing violence and persecution in these countries. It is unclear at this time whether the new administration will continue to process the applications Americans have already submitted.

There have been no specific announcements regarding Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), so the status of this program remains uncertain.

Sponsors seeking information about applications they have submitted may seek constituent services from their congressional representatives to inquire about the status of their application. Click here to consult our sponsor guide on contacting your congressional representative for help.

The executive order issued by President Trump’s administration on Jan. 20, 2025, does not revoke parole status. However, humanitarian parole is a temporary status and newcomers should consider applying for alternative legal status options if eligible.

View our Guide to Alternative Legal Status Options, our on-demand information session on humanitarian parole and alternative pathways, and consider consulting an immigration attorney.

Under the executive order issued by President Trump’s administration effective on Jan. 20, 2025, it is unclear whether travel authorizations will continue to be issued for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.

There have been no specific announcements regarding Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), so the status of this program remains uncertain.

Sponsors seeking information about applications that have been approved may seek constituent services from their congressional representatives to inquire about the status of travel authorization. Click here to consult our sponsor guide on contacting your congressional representative for help.