Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke collaborated on this piece.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that the Biden administration will not extend a temporary humanitarian entry program for the large number of migrants who have arrived in recent years and have U.S. sponsors.
Over the past few months, approximately 530,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have made their way to the United States via air travel. These migrants have been granted a two-year period of parole, which will soon start expiring.
However, there is a possibility that many of these migrants may choose to stay in the country through alternative programs.
The parole program provides an opportunity for migrants who already have U.S. sponsors to come to the country for humanitarian reasons or if their entry is considered to be of significant public benefit. The program is still accepting new applications from individuals residing outside the United States.
The parole program was initiated by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration with the aim of offering legal pathways for migrants to enter the country and reducing illegal border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico.
While Biden’s presidency witnessed a surge in the number of migrants apprehended while attempting illegal crossings, the implementation of stricter border restrictions has resulted in a significant decline in recent months.
Immigration takes center stage as a key concern for voters in the upcoming Nov. 5 election, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris will face off against Republican Donald Trump. Trump, a vocal opponent of the parole program, has been openly critical of it.
According to a statement from spokesperson Naree Ketudat, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided not to renew the parole program for the four nationalities. This decision aligns with the original plan laid out by DHS when the program was initially launched.
Under the CHNV parole program, the majority of individuals from the four eligible nationalities have various options to remain in the United States.
The 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act offers many Cubans the opportunity to obtain permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship. Individuals from all four nationalities have the opportunity to seek asylum.