Nearly 550,000 Cubans could be at risk of deportation due to the new immigration measures implemented by Donald Trump, which include the indefinite suspension of the humanitarian parole programs for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as their immediate family members. These programs allowed for the temporary entry of migrants for humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Approximate figures indicate that, since the start of the program in 2023 and until July 2024, around 110,000 Cubans have been screened and authorized to travel under the parole program.
Of these, around 70,000 would have parole but have not yet obtained permanent residency and are currently at risk of expulsion from the U.S., according to an official document from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) circulated this Friday, which specifies that those who do not have any other legal basis to remain in the country must leave the territory or face deportation proceedings.
The order states that pending travel permits will also be revoked, as well as confirmed sponsorships (I-134A) and the employment authorization derived from parole.
On the other hand, it is estimated that about 400,000 Cubans only have an I-220A document, granted at U.S. border points under a criterion of supervised release, but without being recognized as a formal legal admission into the country.
That group must wait for the resolution of their political asylum applications or a possible parole that allows them to access permanent residency.
However, currently, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased supervision of immigrants benefiting from I-220A. Those who have attended scheduled appointments at ICE offices in Florida have been notified that they will be subject to stricter monitoring while their asylum cases proceed in court.
The new control measures, such as potential home visits, intensify the fear of deportation and impact their stability while awaiting a legal resolution in the U.S.
To the previous cases, which are in a migratory "limbo" and could end up being deported, we can add the more than 42,000 Cubans with deportation orders in the U.S., according to internal data from ICE obtained by the network Fox News.
The deportation of those Cubans, who obtained an I-220B document, has been ordered by an immigration judge from the Department of Justice, but they are still in the country and not in ICE custody.
No options?
Although the Cuban Adjustment Act allows citizens of the Island to apply for permanent residency after one year and one day in the U.S., a suspension of processing at the end of February prevented many Cubans from accessing this benefit, as their applications were halted while being reviewed for possible fraud and security concerns.
The United States government has suspended the processing of permanent residency applications for Cubans, as well as for other immigrants who arrived under the humanitarian parole program implemented during Joe Biden's administration.
The measure primarily affected the beneficiaries of the family reunification program, which includes thousands of Cubans who entered the U.S. under this status.
Although the crisis in Cuba remains a decisive factor in the departure of its citizens, the new restrictions imposed by the U.S. have severely limited the options available to migrants.
Cuban border crossings into the United States also plummeted. In February 2025, only 150 entries were recorded, according to the latest data from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Frequently asked questions about Trump's new immigration measures and their impact on Cubans
How many Cubans might be at risk of deportation due to the new measures from Trump?
Almost 550,000 Cubans could be at risk of deportation due to the revocation of humanitarian parole and the increased surveillance of those with documents such as the I-220A. The suspension of immigration programs and the lack of an alternative legal basis complicate the situation for many Cuban migrants in the United States.
What is humanitarian parole and why has it been revoked?
Humanitarian parole is a program that allowed the temporary entry of migrants for humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. It has been revoked by the administration of Donald Trump on the grounds that it did not succeed in reducing irregular migration or improving border security, in addition to overwhelming local resources and the immigration judicial system.
How can Cubans in the U.S. protect their immigration status following the revocation of parole?
Cuban immigrants in the U.S. may consider alternatives such as applying for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows them to obtain residency after one year and one day in the country. They can also explore options such as political asylum or an employment visa, depending on their personal situation. Consulting with an immigration attorney is essential to assess their specific case.
What is the difference between the I-220A and I-220B documents for Cubans?
The I-220A document indicates supervised release without being a formal legal admission in the U.S., while the I-220B is a "Supervision Order" which may imply an active or pending deportation order. Cubans with an I-220B face a higher risk of deportation due to stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Filed under:
