Biden Administration Ends Humanitarian Parole for Immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua
In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration announced on October 4, 2024, that it will not renew the humanitarian parole program for immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. This program, which was initiated in October 2022, provided a legal pathway for these immigrants to enter the United States with work and residence permits. As the program comes to an end, approximately 530,000 individuals will need to seek alternative immigration options or face potential deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the humanitarian parole, officially known as CHNV, will automatically expire after two years. For those who entered under this program, the expiration will begin this month for Venezuelans, followed by others in January 2025. The DHS website states that individuals who have not applied for legal status must leave the country before their parole period ends, or they may face removal proceedings. This decision comes amidst a politically charged environment, with immigration being a key issue in the upcoming election cycle.
Impact of the Decision on Immigrants
The termination of this program means that the 117,000 Venezuelans, 210,000 Haitians, 110,000 Cubans, and 93,000 Nicaraguans who benefited from humanitarian parole will be at risk of deportation if they do not secure alternative legal status. Advocates for immigrants had hoped for an extension of the program, especially given the Biden administration's previous actions to extend protections for Ukrainians and Afghans. The program had reportedly led to a 99% reduction in encounters with migrants from these countries at the southern border, raising questions about the implications of its termination on border security and migrant safety.
Political Reactions and Future Prospects
The decision to end the humanitarian parole program has drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and has been a target of political attacks from Republican candidates, including Donald Trump. Trump has labeled the program as an abuse of executive power and has promised to dismantle it if elected. The Biden administration's tightening of immigration policies reflects the pressures of a record influx of migrants and the need to address border security concerns. While the humanitarian parole program will no longer be available for those already in the country, it remains open for new applicants from these nations, albeit with stricter controls to prevent fraud.
As the situation unfolds, many affected individuals are left seeking other immigration benefits through the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as they navigate an increasingly complex landscape of U.S. immigration policy.
