Immigrants with humanitarian parole have two years to change their status or they could be deported.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned that migrants entering the territory from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela under the humanitarian parole program will have only two years to regularize their immigration status, or they will be deported.

In statements gathered by Univision, it is detailed that "any discretionary grant of parole will be for a temporary period of up to two years" and that "those who are not granted asylum or other immigration benefits must leave the United States upon the expiration of their authorized period of parole or will generally be placed in deportation proceedings after the parole period expires."

During this period, the beneficiaries must apply for other available legal programs if they wish to remain in the country beyond that time.

Those migrants who do not succeed in obtaining asylum or any other immigration benefit must leave the United States at the end of their parole authorization, according to DHS regulations.

What's happening with the sponsors?

Regarding the role of sponsors and their responsibility to the government when committing to cover the costs of the foreigner's stay, Ezequiel Hernández, a lawyer practicing in Phoenix, Arizona, explained in statements to the mentioned media that "they have a legal responsibility to assume the expenses incurred by the immigrant, ensuring that they do not become a public charge for the United States, and that includes lodging, food, medical care, transportation, and their well-being."

In case of exceeding the time of stay and not having adjusted the status of that person, it will affect them, but they have no legal responsibility if the person, for example, commits a crime.

If the government initiates a deportation process, it will directly impact the immigrant; DHS may contact the sponsor to find out the whereabouts of the beneficiary of 'humanitarian parole,' but he or she will not go to jail for it.

The latest report from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicates that by August, more than 110,000 Cubans; 210,000 Haitians; nearly 93,000 Nicaraguans; and almost 117,000 Venezuelans had entered the country under humanitarian parole.

This program, which was expanded in 2023 to include citizens from the mentioned countries, was initially implemented in October 2022 with the intention of managing the growing pressure at the border between the United States and Mexico, especially from Venezuelan migrants fleeing the crisis in their country due to the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.

The expansion of the program responds to the need to regulate migratory flows and ensure a more controlled and organized entry.

To be eligible for humanitarian parole, migrants must have an economic sponsor in the United States who meets certain requirements. They must also undergo biometric and biographical checks to verify their identity and background.

This permit does not grant permanent residency nor does it constitute a direct pathway to U.S. citizenship. However, it allows beneficiaries to work legally during their stay in the country.

The aim of these measures is to provide a temporary alternative for those migrants fleeing difficult conditions in their home countries, offering them the possibility to remain in the United States for a limited time while they explore legal options for permanent settlement.

However, those who do not manage to change their immigration status within the established deadline will have to face the risk of deportation.