The Trump administration is taking significant steps to revoke the legal status of over 500,000 immigrants from Haiti and Latin America who were granted protections under former President Joe Biden. This change is expected to take effect in late April.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to end a parole program that allowed immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States legally. This program provided work permits and other protections, but the current administration believes it no longer serves a public benefit. DHS stated that the program did not help reduce illegal immigration and was inconsistent with the administration’s foreign policy goals.
As a result, the administration is encouraging these immigrants to leave the country within 30 days to avoid deportation. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin noted that many of those who entered under this program were “loosely vetted.” She emphasized that ending the program is part of a return to stricter immigration policies that prioritize public safety and an "America First" approach.
The Biden administration initially launched this program in 2022 for Venezuelans and expanded it to include other countries in 2023. The aim was to create legal pathways for immigrants, hoping to decrease illegal immigration from these regions.
The Trump administration had attempted to roll back similar programs immediately after taking office. On his first day, Trump issued an order to terminate all categorical parole programs that contradicted his administration’s policies.
This latest move marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals who have relied on these protections to build their lives in America.