In a notable change to immigration policy, President Joe Biden has announced that the temporary parole status for around 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—who arrived in the United States via the CBP One app since 2022—will not be renewed.
Too little. Too late. https://t.co/XT9Wy3EZJI
— Rep. Darrell Issa (@repdarrellissa) October 5, 2024
This decision, confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), signifies a shift from the administration’s earlier strategy for handling the surge of migrants at the southern border.
As reported by the Washington Examiner, the two-year parole and work authorizations provided to these immigrants will not be renewed. This program was originally designed to discourage illegal border crossings while offering a legal means for entry into the United States.
The timing is critical, occurring just a month before the 2024 presidential election, where immigration remains a major concern for voters. The Biden-Harris administration has faced substantial criticism regarding its border security management, as illegal crossings have reached record levels during their time in office.
Under the now-expiring program, immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were permitted to apply for two-year parole status from abroad, allowing them to reside in the U.S. without filing an asylum claim.
The Washington Examiner notes that the government made no commitments to extend this status beyond the initial two years.
With the expiration of the parole status, affected immigrants confront uncertain futures.
A DHS spokesperson mentioned that those without pending immigration benefits or who did not receive an immigration benefit during their parole period must leave the United States or face removal proceedings.
While the parole status will not be renewed, the DHS has indicated that the CHNV program, which enables immigrants from the four specified countries to apply for parole from outside the U.S., will continue, although it was temporarily suspended in July due to reports of fraudulent applications.
The termination of the parole program comes as the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to tackle border security issues.
Vice President Kamala Harris, responsible for overseeing border matters, has received criticism from former President Donald Trump and other adversaries regarding the administration’s immigration policies.
With immigration a key voter issue, this policy change could have significant repercussions for the upcoming presidential election.
The Washington Examiner highlights that a majority of the public favors a reduction in overall immigration, a sentiment that may sway voter preferences in 2024.
As the Biden administration navigates the complex challenges of immigration reform and border security, this latest decision to end the parole program for certain migrants suggests a potential move toward stricter immigration policies.
With the 2024 election approaching, the effects of this decision on both the impacted immigrants and public sentiment remain to be seen.
The ongoing discourse surrounding immigration policy continues to shape the political landscape, with both parties striving to propose effective solutions to the American public.
As this situation unfolds, the administration’s stance on border security and immigration reform will undoubtedly face close examination from both supporters and critics.
