Overview: Sudden Changes Impacting Work-Authorized Foreign Nationals

In recent weeks, reports have surfaced that foreign nationals paroled into the U.S. using the now-defunct CBP One App are receiving unexpected email notices from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These notices state that parole status has been terminated immediately, potentially impacting over 900,000 individuals who have entered the U.S. since early 2023.

Background on the CBP One App Parole Program

Launched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in January 2023, the CBP One App was a key tool in the Biden Administration’s southern border strategy. It allowed individuals to enter the U.S. under humanitarian parole, which provided temporary protection from removal and employment authorization for up to two years.

Following the change in administration in early 2025, CBP and DHS discontinued use of the CBP One App and introduced a replacement platform called “CBP Home,” which now encourages foreign nationals to notify DHS of their intent to voluntarily depart the U.S.

Despite termination notices instructing recipients to leave the country, many individuals who entered through the CBP One App have since secured Temporary Protected Status (TPS), filed asylum claims, or are in pending immigration court proceedings—all of which may provide continued legal presence.

Employer Impact: What HR & People Operations Teams Should Know

The termination of CBP One App parole status has significant implications for HR teams, as many affected individuals currently possess valid Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and are lawfully working across various sectors.

Key considerations for employers:

• No formal DHS policy has been released clarifying the impact of the termination notices on employment eligibility.

• Unless an employee voluntarily discloses that their parole has been terminated, employers are not required to act.

• If an employee confirms receipt of a termination notice, employers may have legal grounds to terminate employment—though this should be done carefully and with legal guidance.

Meltzer Hellrung is monitoring the situation and will provide updates and compliance guidance as soon as more details become available.

Next Steps for Affected Employees

Foreign nationals who received parole through the CBP One App and wish to remain in the U.S. should act quickly to pursue alternative immigration pathways, including:

• Asylum

• Employment-based or family-based immigration options

• Individual humanitarian parole requests

Need Help Navigating This Change?

Employers and HR professionals should proactively identify any employees who may be impacted and consult legal counsel before taking employment action. If you need assistance evaluating options for affected employees, please contact your Meltzer Hellrung attorney.