Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2025

This bill would restrict the Department of Homeland Security's authority to grant immigration parole by narrowing the definitions of urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefits. It proposes to prohibit parole grants based on membership in a specific class of individuals and would prevent those granted parole for humanitarian or public benefit reasons from obtaining work authorization. Additionally, the bill would establish specific statutory authority for granting parole to certain Cuban nationals and family members of active-duty military personnel.

This bill affects individuals seeking entry into the United States via immigration parole, specifically limiting eligibility to those with medical emergencies, a death in the family, or law enforcement assistance roles. It also impacts certain Cuban nationals and family members of active-duty Armed Forces members who may be granted parole under new statutory authority. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security is affected by new restrictions on its discretionary authority to grant parole to defined classes of individuals.

• Limitations on immigration parole authority. The bill restricts the Department of Homeland Security's authority to grant immigration parole by narrowing the definitions of urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefits.
• Defined criteria for urgent humanitarian reasons. Qualifying reasons are limited to medical emergencies, the death of a close family member, or green card applicants returning from temporary travel abroad.
• Defined criteria for significant public benefit. The bill limits significant public benefit justifications to instances where an individual is assisting the U.S. government with law enforcement matters.
• Prohibition on class-based parole and work authorization. The bill prohibits granting parole based on membership in a defined class and prevents individuals paroled for humanitarian or public benefit reasons from receiving work authorization.
• Statutory authority for specific parole programs. The legislation provides formal statutory authority for the Department of Homeland Security to grant parole to certain Cuban nationals and specific family members of active-duty Armed Forces members.

This bill modifies and restricts the existing authority of the Department of Homeland Security to grant immigration parole by narrowing the definitions of urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefits. It also provides specific statutory authority for existing parole practices regarding certain Cuban nationals and family members of active-duty Armed Forces members.

The bill aims to restrict the Department of Homeland Security's authority to grant immigration parole by narrowing the definitions of urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefits. It further seeks to prohibit class-based parole grants while establishing specific statutory authority for parole for certain Cuban nationals and family members of active-duty military personnel.