In a recent move, President Trump's administration announced the revocation of temporary legal protections for more than 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, who may face deportation by April 24 unless alternative legal status can be secured.
Trump's Administration Moves to Revoke Protections for Migrants Ahead of April Deadline
Trump's Administration Moves to Revoke Protections for Migrants Ahead of April Deadline
The Trump administration's decision affects over 500,000 migrants from various countries, raising concerns about the legal implications and humanitarian impact.
US President Donald Trump's administration has made a significant announcement regarding immigration policy, declaring plans to revoke the temporary legal protections for over 500,000 migrants originating from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. A government notice indicated that these individuals must leave the United States before April 24—the date when their permits and deportation shields will be cancelled.
The migrants were initially admitted under a Biden-era program known as CHNV, which aimed to create legal pathways for migration. However, upon taking office, Trump suspended this initiative. It remains uncertain how many individuals from this group have managed to secure alternative legal statuses that would allow them to remain in the US.
The CHNV program was first launched in 2022 under President Biden, initially for Venezuelan migrants and later expanded to include other countries. It allowed these migrants, along with their immediate family members, to enter the US if they had American sponsors, granting them a two-year temporary immigration status referred to as parole. Advocates for the program argued it would help reduce illegal crossings at the southern border, ensuring a thorough vetting process for new entrants.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has condemned the previous administration's handling of the CHNV program, asserting that it failed to meet its intended objectives. In its recent statement, DHS pointed to how the program allegedly enabled migrants to undercut American workers while also blaming the chaos and crime that followed on Republicans in Congress.
According to the lengthy notice in the Federal Register, while most migrants will not be allowed to remain, some may have opportunities to stay in the US on a "case-by-case" basis. Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Center in California, expressed her organisation's intent to challenge this decision legally, arguing that it penalizes individuals for following governmental guidelines in seeking lawful entry into the country.
Additionally, Trump is contemplating the termination of temporary legal protections for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the US amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The CHNV program notably facilitated the entry of around 213,000 Haitians into the US, focusing on migrants fleeing deteriorating conditions in their home country.
Recent announcements from DHS revealed plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians living in the US—typically granted to nationals from countries facing severe unrest or disasters. TPS for Venezuelan migrants is also on the chopping block, currently facing its own legal challenges.
Since taking office, Trump's immigration policies have faced numerous legal difficulties, raising questions about the future of protection for vulnerable migrants within the United States.
