The Trump administration has announced plans to end legal protections for 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The change, which was published in the Federal Register on Friday, will take effect on April 24.
These migrants had entered the U.S. under a two-year humanitarian parole program introduced by President Joe Biden. The program allowed individuals to arrive by air if they had U.S. sponsors.
Trump argued that the program exceeded federal authority and issued an executive order on January 20 to cancel it. He claimed such policies encourage unchecked migration and undermine immigration law.
Ukrainian Migrants Could Face Similar Changes
Trump also hinted at ending protections for 240,000 Ukrainians who arrived during the war with Russia. His statement followed a Reuters report suggesting that their parole status might expire in April.
Biden initially launched the parole program for Venezuelans in 2022. In 2023, he expanded it to include Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. The goal was to reduce illegal border crossings and ease pressure on the southern border.
However, diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and these nations have made cooperation on deportations challenging.
Many Migrants May Face Deportation
Without parole status, many of these migrants may face deportation unless they apply for asylum or another form of legal residency.
Officials have not confirmed how many individuals have transitioned to permanent legal protection, but the policy shift could leave thousands in legal limbo.
Trump’s decision is part of a broader effort to dismantle Biden-era immigration policies. His administration prioritizes stricter border controls and more aggressive enforcement.