The United States government has announced the termination of legal status for approximately 532,000 immigrants, giving them only weeks to leave the country. The affected individuals, primarily from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, had entered the U.S. under a program launched in October 2022 by President Joe Biden and later expanded in January 2023.
Implications of the Order
According to the directive issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), these immigrants will lose their legal protection 30 days after the order is published in the Federal Register, scheduled for Tuesday. This means they must leave the country by April 24 unless they secure an alternative immigration status that permits them to remain.
Organizations such as Welcome.US, which supports refugees and migrants, have urged affected individuals to seek legal counsel immediately to explore available options.
Background on the Migration Program
The program, officially known as the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, allowed up to 30,000 migrants per month to enter the United States for a period of two years. This initiative was designed to provide a “safe and humane” alternative to illegal border crossings while alleviating strain on the U.S.-Mexico border.
However, the DHS emphasized on Friday that the program was always meant to be temporary.
“Parole is inherently temporary, and parole alone is not an underlying basis for obtaining any immigration status, nor does it constitute an admission to the United States,” the department stated in its order.
Trump Administration’s Stance on Immigration
The decision to revoke the legal status of these immigrants aligns with former President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration. Trump has vowed to carry out what he calls the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history, focusing on restricting migration, particularly from Latin American countries.
Just last week, Trump invoked rare wartime legislation to deport over 200 suspected members of a Venezuelan gang to El Salvador, which has offered to detain migrants—including U.S. citizens—at a reduced cost.
Uncertain Future for Thousands
With the clock ticking for over half a million immigrants, uncertainty looms over their future. Legal experts and advocacy groups continue to urge affected individuals to explore legal pathways to remain in the country. The impact of this decision is expected to be far-reaching, influencing both U.S. domestic policies and its relationships with Latin American nations.
