This article was last updated on September 28, 2026

Summary

This article explains what is currently happening with immigration enforcement for people who entered the United States on parole through a CBP One appointment at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The information here is only for people who received parole through appointments at the U.S.-Mexico border using the CBP One application. Some other parole programs used the CBP One mobile application as well, but this article is not relevant to people who entered through those other programs.

If you were paroled into the United States we recommend speaking with an immigration attorney. A list of free immigration legal service providers in the United States is available here. These attorneys are not affiliated with IRAP.

A list of private immigration attorneys in the United States is available here. Please note that private immigration attorneys may charge a fee for their services. These attorneys are not affiliated with IRAP.

What is CBP One parole?

Between May 2023 and January 2025, many people used the official “CBP One” application to make appointments at certain ports of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border. A “port of entry” (POE) is an official border crossing location.

Most people who entered the country through a CBP One appointment were released into the United States with a status called “parole” and with a notice that they need to appear in immigration court proceedings. 

The CBP One mobile app is no longer available for scheduling appointments at the border. The U.S. government has canceled all appointments, and there are no new appointments available. Currently, there is no other way to schedule appointments to present yourself at the border.

What does it mean to have parole?

Parole lets people who are not citizens of the U.S. live in the U.S. for a temporary, set time limit (but not forever).

However, it is very important to know that parole does not give you permanent status in the US. Permanent status means being allowed to live legally in the U.S. forever. This means that if you have been paroled but want to stay in the U.S. for the long-term you need to look for a different way to stay in the U.S. permanently. There are some other ways to do this, like applying for asylum. 

Here are some important things to know about parole:

• If you were paroled, you can apply for a work permit. A work permit lets you legally work in the United States. Your work permit ends when your parole ends. The form to apply for this permit is called an “I-765”, and it can be filed online (using this form) or by mail. 

• Before parole ends – and as early as possible – you can usually benefit from speaking with a  lawyer. It can be helpful try to quickly apply for some type of permanent status if you are eligible.

• You can sometimes get a new parole period when the first one ends, but this is usually not possible for people who received parole at a CBP appointment at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Can people still get CBP One appointments to enter the country?

No. In January 2025, the U.S. government stopped allowing people to use the CBP One application in this way and cancelled all existing appointments.

In March 2025, the government replaced the CBP One application with a new application called “CBP Home.” Although it has some of the same functions as the original CBP One application, it is not the same thing. The CBP Home application includes an option for individuals to tell the government that they are leaving the United States. The government has publicly encouraged individuals without status to use this new function to “self-deport.”

The old CBP One app had the word “One” after “CBP.” The new app, CBP Home, looks very similar, but it says “Home” instead of “One.”

What comes after being paroled into the United States?

Being paroled does not mean that your case is over. It only means that you are allowed to stay in the US temporarily. To be able to stay in the US legally, you must obtain another kind of permanent status, like asylum.

If I had a “credible fear interview” at the border, does that mean I have asylum?

No. This interview is just the first test to see you allowed to apply for asylum. Passing it does NOT mean that you have asylum yet. It also does not mean that you have applied for asylum.

If you passed the credible fear interview, you can apply for asylum. But you still have to turn in the application, follow the case, and win it in the end to get asylum.

If you did not get a credible fear interview, you can still apply for asylum. If you are afraid to return to your country, you may still apply for asylum within one year of entering the United States. If you are past the one year mark, please speak to an immigration attorney to review your options.

For more information about applying for asylum, see the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s community resources on this topic here.

I received a “Notice to Appear.” What does this mean?

If you received CBP One parole at the US-Mexico border, you likely received what is called a “Notice to Appear” (NTA) and put into immigration court proceedings. This means that the U.S. government is trying to deport you from the United States. A Notice to Appear is a document that starts the process of two things:

1. The government trying to deport you through immigration court proceedings and 
2. You are trying to prove you have a right to remain in the United States.

It is possible to avoid deportation if you qualify for some other immigration status in the United States. This process can be very complicated, so it is helpful to find an immigration attorney as soon as possible after you have been granted parole.

The NTA form has a lot of very important information on it. However, that information can also change very quickly. Some of that information includes:

• A nine-digit number called a “File Number” or “A Number.” This number stays with you on all of your applications and proceedings in the US and is a way to identify you. For that reason, it is very important to memorize this number and to keep it in a safe place, because it will help you keep track of your immigration case.
• A notice stating when and where you have your first court date. This is usually close to the bottom of the page. If there is a court date listed, it is very important to go to court on that day and time. Sometimes there will not be a date, but that does NOT mean that you do not have court. You will still have a court date.

If you received an NTA, you can find out when you have your hearing by calling 1-800-898-7180 or by looking in the immigration court website. The phone number will be answered by an automated machine where you have to enter your “A Number.” It will tell you when you have court (if there is a scheduled court date). 

• It is a good idea to call this number about once a week in case the information changes. Sometimes there is no record of your case. This means that the government has not yet filed your case. Unfortunately, you still need to appear on the date and time listed on your NTA, because the government can file the notice at the last minute.
• To find the immigration court website, search online for “EOIR automated case information” or by clicking this link.

For more information about the immigration court process, see the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s community resources on this topic here.

When does my CBP One parole expire?

Parole does not go on forever. It has an expiration date.  Parole can be issued for up to three years. Most people who entered with parole through CBP One appointments at the U.S. Mexico border were granted two-year parole periods. 

You can check the length of your parole on your I-94 form. You can see your I-94 online here. The government may have changed the end-date of your parole by changing the date in that online system.

I heard that the government is ending parole for all CBP One parolees. What does this mean?

In early April 2025, the U.S. government started emailing notices to some people with the subject line “Notice of Termination of Parole.” These emails said that the Department of Homeland Security is terminating the person’s  individual parole, and they encouraged the individual to leave the country. Some people received a version that said their parole will end in seven days. Other people received a version that said their parole is ending immediately.

In March 2026, a federal court decided that some of these notices were sent unlawfully. For some, that means their parole status was put back into place. You can check the length of your parole on your I-94 form. You can see your I-94 online here. 

Regardless of whether or not your parole has ended early, it is important to understand that the United States government has made moves to end parole for large numbers of people. If you are here on CBP One parole and your parole is still valid, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible so you can understand your options if your parole ends earlier than you expected.

My parole has expired, or the government has terminated my parole. What should I know?

Before making any decisions, you should consult with an immigration lawyer to receive advice related to your specific situation. Your options for next steps will depend on whether you have obtained other lawful status to remain in the country, whether you have another application pending, and whether you are awaiting a specific court date.

It is very important to understand that if you have a court date scheduled for a hearing before an immigration judge and you are not available to appear for that hearing, you will be “ordered removed in absentia.” This means that if you do not attend your hearing, the immigration judge will order you deported immediately. It is very difficult to reopen your court case once this has happened. 

How else can I stay in the United States?

This varies from person to person, so the best way to get an answer for your specific situation is to talk to an immigration attorney as soon as possible. You may have other options to stay lawfully in the United States, but it will depend on the facts of your individual situation.

What might happen to me if I encounter immigration authorities?

Parolees who entered the country within the last two years may be at risk of being put into “expedited removal” proceedings. Expedited removal is a process that allows the U.S. government to deport people very quickly.

In expedited removal, you do not have a right to see a judge. Instead, another government official can order you deported without you ever having a chance to present your case in court. 

Once the order is entered, you can be removed to your country of citizenship. Sometimes, you can also be removed to another country. We have more information about expedited removal here.

I am currently going to ICE check-in appointments. Is there anything I should know?

A new March 2025 policy tells immigration officers that when they do ICE check-in appointments, they should consider putting the following groups of people into expedited removal or in a removal case in immigration court, if they have not filed an asylum application: 

1. People who entered the U.S. without permission but were released by immigration officials at the border to enter the U.S., no matter how long ago they entered.
2. People who entered the U.S. and were given “parole with conditions” or “parole + alternatives to detention.” If this is your situation, immigration officers likely told you when you entered that you must be monitored by ICE to avoid being detained – this monitoring may include having an ankle monitor, going to ICE check-in appointments, or sending photos of yourself to an officer. You may also have been told you cannot travel beyond a certain distance, or that you may not leave your home after a certain hour at night. You should have received ICE paperwork that explains these requirements. If you are not sure if you are in this category, you should consult with an immigration attorney. 
3. People who were given a “notice to report” by immigration officers at the border. A notice to report is a document that tells you to report to an ICE office, typically within 60 days. This is different from a “notice to appear,” which tells you that the government plans to start a case against you in immigration court.

For more detailed information about the expedited removal process, see here.

What can I do if I am worried about these recent policy changes?

You may start to hear rumors about immigration policy changes on social media or from your own communities. When there are big changes like these, it is very common for misinformation to spread quickly. Don’t be afraid to look for multiple sources of information, and try to find resources that were written or reviewed by American attorneys. You can also come back to this article for any updated information.

Anyone concerned these policy changes could impact their individual case should discuss their situation with an immigration attorney. Every individual’s case is different. An immigration attorney can help you understand what forms of relief you could possibly be eligible to apply for, including asylum. A list of free immigration legal service providers in the United States is available here. 

If you have an application pending with USCIS or a case in front of an immigration court, it is a good idea to keep evidence of those pending applications or cases with you. If you have been present in the United States for more than 2 years, here are some documents showing how long you have lived in the U.S. that you may want to keep with you at all times in case you are stopped by law enforcement: 

• parole paperwork
• plane tickets
• state identification cards 
• library cards 
• postmarked mail with your name and home address 
• school records 
• rental leases and other similar documents showing you have lived in the U.S. for more than two years 

Regardless of how long you have been in the United States, you may want to carry evidence of your current parole, your I-94, and your work authorization.

How can I find an immigration lawyer in the U.S.?

A list of free immigration legal service providers in the United States is available here. These attorneys are not affiliated with IRAP.

A list of private immigration attorneys in the United States is available here. Please note that private immigration attorneys may charge a fee for their services. These attorneys are not affiliated with IRAP.

Additional information and resources

Know Your Rights information for immigrants from CASA

Immigration Preparedness Toolkit from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center