Biden Administration Ends Parole Program for Migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela

The Biden administration has announced that it will not renew the temporary humanitarian entry program that allowed over 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States in recent years.

The program, known as “parole,” was launched in October 2022 and granted two-year permits to migrants arriving by air with US sponsors. These permits are set to begin expiring in the coming weeks, according to a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Although the parole program will no longer be renewed, migrants already in the country may still remain under other US immigration programs. The parole scheme allowed individuals to enter the US for humanitarian reasons or when their entry was deemed to benefit the public. The program will continue to accept new applications from those currently outside the United States.

The Biden administration introduced the parole program as part of an effort to create legal pathways for migrants and reduce illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border. The policy was designed to address record numbers of migrants crossing illegally into the US during Biden’s presidency. Recently, illegal crossings have dropped significantly due to new border restrictions rolled out by the administration.

Immigration is a critical issue ahead of the November 5 election, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris will face off against Republican Donald Trump. Trump has been a vocal critic of the parole program.

Naree Ketudat, a DHS spokesperson, confirmed that the decision not to renew the parole program follows the original plan outlined when it was first introduced. Migrants without permission to remain in the US will need to depart before their parole expires or face removal proceedings.

While the program for the four nationalities is ending, other parole initiatives, such as those for Ukrainians and Afghans, have been extended. Many of the migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have alternative routes to stay in the US.

For example, most Cubans qualify for permanent residency and eventual citizenship under the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act. Meanwhile, Haitians and Venezuelans may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which grants deportation relief and work permits. Additionally, migrants from all four nations can apply for asylum.

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