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; otherwise, they will be deported.

In statements reported by Univision, it is detailed that “any discretionary granting 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 parole period or will generally be placed in deportation proceedings after the parole period expires.”

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

Those migrants who are unable to obtain asylum or any other immigration benefit must leave the United States at the end of their parole authorization, in accordance with DHS regulations.

In the case of Cubans, they are fortunate to have the Cuban Adjustment Act, which grants special immigration status to those who manage to reach U.S. territory.

Promulgated in 1966, this law allows Cubans to apply for permanent residency after one year of physical presence in the country, which has historically facilitated migration from Cuba to the United States.

What’s happening with the sponsors?

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

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

In case the government initiates a deportation process, it will directly impact the immigrant. The DHS may contact the sponsor to find out the whereabouts of the beneficiary of 'humanitarian parole,' but they will not go to jail for it.

The latest report from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicates that by August, over 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 increasing 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 a financial 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 path 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 migrants fleeing difficult conditions in their home countries, offering them the opportunity to stay in the United States for a limited time while they explore legal options for permanent settlement.