The Trump administration is formulating plans to overhaul U.S. immigration policies by revoking legal status granted to thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela under a program initiated by the Biden administration.
These significant changes could lead to deportation proceedings for many affected individuals, potentially altering the landscape of immigration enforcement significantly.
CBS News reported that under the previous administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced a program allowing migrants from these four countries to enter the U.S. legally with sponsorship, granting them temporary protection and the ability to apply for work permits. Known as the CHNV program, it facilitated the entry of over 530,000 people.
Officials from the new administration argue that the CHNV program improperly used the concept of immigration parole, an action they plan to rectify by terminating the program. This would result in migrants losing their eligibility to work lawfully in the United States unless they qualify for other forms of immigration relief.
DHS, under Trump's leadership, is working on a proposal to end this program, potentially leaving many individuals vulnerable to deportation proceedings.
It remains uncertain how many participants have secured other legal statuses or when the policy will take effect.
Concurrently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their federal counterparts have ramped up efforts to expedite deportations of individuals who benefited from policies during the previous administration. These developments signify a robust shift in immigration enforcement.
While some migrants, such as those from Haiti and Venezuela, are currently protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), this too faces scrutiny.
The Trump administration has already rescinded Biden's TPS extension for Venezuelans, placing them at risk.
Despite these changes, certain avenues remain available for migrants. Cubans, for instance, can potentially transition to legal resident status under a longstanding Cold War-era law. Additionally, migrants from all nationalities may seek asylum, provided they can substantiate claims of persecution in their home countries.
Proponents of the Biden administration’s immigration policies have voiced concerns over the proposed changes. Former DHS official Tom Jawetz remarked on the potentially disruptive nature of the revocation plan, highlighting the risk of increased chaos within the system.
The impending changes stress the uncertainty surrounding the future of many migrants who arrived in recent years under Biden’s more liberal immigration framework. DHS has yet to respond to inquiries concerning its stance and the potential impact of these policy proposals.
As the Trump administration continues to dismantle various Biden-era immigration initiatives, the scope of affected groups extends beyond those in the CHNV program.
Initiatives benefiting Ukrainians, Afghans, and Central American children are among those being reassessed or terminated.
Part of this broader reorientation involves expanding the mandate of ICE and including the Department of Defense in border enforcement activities.
This reflects a heightened emphasis on border security amidst the broader immigration policy shifts.
While details continue to unfold, the focus remains on how these changes will impact the individual migrants and the broader legal immigration system. As deportation proceedings loom for those unable to secure other forms of relief, legal experts and policymakers are watching closely.
