The Trump administration announced on Friday that it would be ending a program initiated by the Biden administration, allowing hundreds of thousands of individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States lawfully and work for up to two years. This program, known as the C.H.N.V. program, provided applicants with the opportunity to secure work authorization quickly, provided they passed security checks and had a financial sponsor.
Initially introduced for Venezuelans in 2022, the program was later expanded to include nationals from the other three countries in the following year. By the end of 2024, over 500,000 migrants had entered the United States through this initiative, benefiting from work permits and protection from deportation conferred under the program’s authority, called parole.
The termination of the program was expected, as President Trump had ordered the Department of Homeland Security to take steps to end it on his first day back in office. However, the formal notice announcing its elimination brings uncertainty for the hundreds of thousands of individuals who could face danger or economic hardship if forced to return to their home countries.
Advocates like Guerline Jozef, the executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, have expressed concern over the impact of the program’s termination. Many beneficiaries of the program have found employment with companies like Amazon and Honda, contributing positively to the economy.
Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to create legal pathways for individuals from these countries, the Trump administration argues that the program does not serve a significant public benefit and is not necessary to reduce illegal immigration levels. The termination of the program is in line with their policy of prioritizing America First and common-sense policies.
The Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigrants is evident in the decision to end the C.H.N.V. program, as highlighted by Setareh Ghandehari, an advocacy director at the rights group Detention Watch Network. The termination of the program marks a shift in immigration policy as the administration aims to tighten restrictions and enforcement measures.
As the program comes to an end, migrants without another legal basis to remain in the United States will be required to leave the country before their parole termination date. Failure to do so may result in deportation by immigration authorities. The program’s termination raises questions about the future of immigration policies under the current administration and the impact on individuals seeking legal pathways to stay in the United States.
In a separate but similar development, a parole program created by the Biden administration for Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia is also under scrutiny, with President Trump considering its termination. The evolving landscape of immigration policies highlights the complexities and challenges faced by individuals seeking legal entry and protection in the United States.
