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The government of the United States has paused the processing of residency applications for beneficiaries of the Humanitarian Parole and other immigration programs implemented under the Joe Biden administration.
According to a memorandum obtained by CBS News, the measure, which affects thousands of Cubans who entered the U.S. through the mentioned parole, will remain in effect while authorities review potential cases of fraud and strengthen verification procedures.
According to the document from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the decision is due to the fact that “currently, information on fraud and public or national security concerns is not being adequately identified in USCIS's adjudication systems.”
Previous investigations -even during the Biden era- detected thousands of applications for the CHNV program with "serial sponsors," data from deceased individuals, and repeated addresses, some of which were confirmed to be fraudulent.
The journalist Mario Pentón also confirmed the news on the social media platform X: “Trump seeks to freeze green cards for immigrants who entered with parole during the Biden era.”
Impact on Cuban migrants and other beneficiaries
The measure affects Cubans who entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole, as they will not be able to apply for their residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, leaving them in a migration limbo.
In this way, it is worth noting that Cubans who have obtained parole to enter the United States can apply for green cards. However, under the new USCIS directive, officials will no longer be able to process any applications for these programs or other immigration benefits if they were submitted by migrants who arrived under those specific policies of the Biden administration.
The blockade affects several initiatives that used parole for the rapid admission of foreigners for humanitarian or public interest reasons. Among the impacted programs are:
Uniting for Ukraine, which allowed the entry of approximately 240,000 Ukrainians with American sponsors.
The CHNV program facilitated the entry of 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
The parole for family members of Colombians, Ecuadorians, Central Americans, and Cubans, which allowed them to wait for their residency card in the U.S.
Lynden Melmed, former chief advisor of USCIS during the administration of George W. Bush, warned about the consequences of the measure: "This effectively freezes their ability to change to another legal status. Meanwhile, they would still be vulnerable to being expelled from the country if the government cancels their parole status," cited Cubanet.
So far, it is also known that the measure could be reversed once officials complete a "comprehensive review and assessment of the foreign population that was admitted to the United States under these programs."
Humanitarian parole: figures and setbacks
Before being eliminated in January by the Trump administration, the implementation of humanitarian parole for Cuban migrants suffered a drastic reduction in recent months, as only 10 residents of the island received travel permits under this program in December 2024, and none of them managed to arrive in the United States that month.
According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), only 10 Cubans were granted travel permission under humanitarian parole in December 2024. However, none of them were able to travel that month, and essentially no Cubans have arrived since October.
Despite the fact that U.S. authorities have approved the entry of more than 531,690 people from these countries in recent months, the number of Cubans who have been able to benefit from this process remains notably low.
Until the end of December 2024, only 110,970 Cubans were authorized to travel under parole, but the latest approvals have not been implemented due to various barriers, including logistical difficulties and the lack of available commercial flights.
Specifically, 110,970 Cubans; 213,150 Haitians; 96,270 Nicaraguans; and 120,760 Venezuelans were examined and authorized to travel; and 110,240 Cubans, 211,040 Haitians; 93,070 Nicaraguans; and 117,330 Venezuelans arrived and obtained parole.
Frequently Asked Questions about Humanitarian Parole for Migrants
Why has the United States halted the processing of residency applications for beneficiaries of humanitarian parole?
The United States has halted the processing of residency applications for beneficiaries of humanitarian parole due to a review of potential fraud cases and to strengthen verification procedures. Authorities have identified issues with the USCIS adjudication system, such as serial sponsors and repeated addresses, some of which are fraudulent.
How does the measure affect Cubans who entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole?
The measure affects Cubans who entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole by preventing them from applying for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, leaving them in a migratory limbo. This means that, while their cases are under review, they will not be able to progress in their permanent residency processes.
What alternatives do migrants affected by the suspension of humanitarian parole have?
Migrants affected by the suspension of humanitarian parole may consider applying for asylum or other forms of protection, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain nationalities. Cubans can take advantage of the Cuban Adjustment Act to obtain permanent residency after one year and one day in the U.S.
What consequences could Donald Trump's policy on humanitarian parole have?
Donald Trump's policy could lead to the elimination of humanitarian parole, which would impact thousands of migrants who rely on this program for their legal status in the U.S. Furthermore, a tightening of immigration policies is anticipated, which could include mass deportations of those who fail to regularize their situation.
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