Thousands of immigrants who entered the US legally face possible deportation after the program ends.
The humanitarian parole program, which allowed thousands of people from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Nicaragua to enter the United States legally. However, it has an end date of January 2025.
Given this situation, the authorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have warned that those beneficiaries who did not manage their status before their expiration date could be expelled.
This program, first implemented in 2022 by the Joe Biden administration, allowed immigrants to work and live legally in the US for two years. However, with the decision of this benefit, those who do not get another immigration status will be able to be deported from the country.
What does the end of humanitarian parole mean?
The humanitarian parole was launched in response to the growing immigration crisis and has allowed more than 500,000 people to enter the US legally in the past two years. Although the program was seen as a temporary solution, when it expires in January 2025 it will leave thousands of beneficiaries in an irregular situation.
According to DHS officials, the two-year program was designed so people could seek other ways to manage their status, such as humanitarian assistance or other immigration benefits. Those who have not fulfilled this must leave the country when their permit expires, to avoid deportation proceedings.
Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians and Nicaraguans are among the most affected
This program was vital for the citizens of Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba, countries that are facing serious internal crises. Humanitarian parole allowed many migrants to escape difficult situations and seek better opportunities in the United States.
However, the non-renewal of the program means that the first beneficiaries, such as Venezuelans who entered in October 2022, will soon see their authorization expire. For Cubans, Nicaraguans and Haitians, the period ends in January 2025.
Options for those who want to avoid exports
Cubans can still benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act. This allows them to apply for permanent residence after one year and one day of stay in the U.S. However, immigrants from other nationalities, such as Venezuelans and Haitians, rely on Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This was expanded by the Biden administration. This status provides protection against deportation, although it does not lead to citizenship.
Nicaraguans, on the other hand, have a more complicated situation, as they do not have TPS extensions like those of other groups. Despite calls to extend TPS to new arrivals from Nicaragua, the situation for those who arrived in recent years remains uncertain.
Expected result
The end of humanitarian parole has been a source of speculation for months. In August, DHS temporarily suspended the program after discovering an increase in fraudulent sponsorship applications. Although the program was later restarted, there were doubts about its future.
With the end of the program coming, beneficiaries must now look for other options to stay in the country legally. Authorities have indicated that those who do not manage their status in the United States could leave in the coming months.
