The Trump administration is preparing to revoke legal status for many migrants who entered the United States under a Biden-era program, expanding the pool of people who could be deported. This move is expected to impact migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti who arrived under President Joe Biden as part of a humanitarian parole program, allowing them to temporarily live and work in the US. Over 530,000 individuals from these countries entered the US under this program.
While some migrants may be eligible for other programs that could protect them from deportation, those who have not pursued alternative legal avenues to remain in the US may face removal. Many of the individuals who arrived under the humanitarian parole program have been in the US for less than two years. Trump officials have broadened a procedure to expedite deportations, now including undocumented immigrants nationwide who cannot prove they have lived continuously in the US for two years or more.
This action is part of a series of measures by the Trump administration to eliminate temporary protections for migrants already residing in the United States. Republicans have criticized Biden's use of the humanitarian parole program, contending that his administration overstepped its authority in its implementation. Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for a review of parole.
In contrast, Biden administration officials defended the humanitarian parole authority, stating that it helped reduce illegal border crossings by providing individuals with a legal pathway to enter the country. The program required migrants to have a sponsor in the US, undergo screening and vetting processes, and complete vaccinations.
