**The recent decision marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy for migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti, with potential repercussions for many seeking refuge.**
**Trump Targets Immigration Entry Program for Affected Nations**
**Trump Targets Immigration Entry Program for Affected Nations**
**Former President Repeals Humanitarian Parole for Migrants from Crisis-Impacted Countries**
January 21, 2025, 12:07 a.m. ET - President Trump declared on Monday the intent to dismantle a humanitarian program initiated by the previous Biden administration, which permitted migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti to enter the United States for temporary stays of up to two years. This move indicates a broader and more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement by the Trump administration on its first day back in office.
The program, known as humanitarian parole, had been a viable route for numerous migrants who had financial sponsors and successfully underwent security checks. As reported, over 500,000 individuals utilized this legal avenue by the end of last year, significantly impacting illegal border crossings which the Biden administration aimed to mitigate.
In a tactical move, Trump also instructed the Department of Homeland Security to terminate another program allowing migrants to book appointments at legal entry points into the U.S. The former administration’s own plans to limit migration through these legal channels have drawn criticism from both Republican lawmakers, who argue that such programs allow for unregulated entry, and immigration advocates who contend that they provided essential relief for those fleeing difficult conditions.
Texas and other states previously attempted to shut down the program through legal challenges, to no avail. Nevertheless, the Biden administration had already indicated plans to let the authorization lapse, leaving many migrants in a peculiar situation where they would need to explore alternative means of residency or risk deportation after their initial stay expired.
Hamed Aleaziz continues to report on immigration policy and the workings of the Department of Homeland Security amidst these dramatic shifts. Further updates will follow as this situation develops.
The program, known as humanitarian parole, had been a viable route for numerous migrants who had financial sponsors and successfully underwent security checks. As reported, over 500,000 individuals utilized this legal avenue by the end of last year, significantly impacting illegal border crossings which the Biden administration aimed to mitigate.
In a tactical move, Trump also instructed the Department of Homeland Security to terminate another program allowing migrants to book appointments at legal entry points into the U.S. The former administration’s own plans to limit migration through these legal channels have drawn criticism from both Republican lawmakers, who argue that such programs allow for unregulated entry, and immigration advocates who contend that they provided essential relief for those fleeing difficult conditions.
Texas and other states previously attempted to shut down the program through legal challenges, to no avail. Nevertheless, the Biden administration had already indicated plans to let the authorization lapse, leaving many migrants in a peculiar situation where they would need to explore alternative means of residency or risk deportation after their initial stay expired.
Hamed Aleaziz continues to report on immigration policy and the workings of the Department of Homeland Security amidst these dramatic shifts. Further updates will follow as this situation develops.
