The revocation of humanitarian parole for migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti has raised alarms among thousands of people who, after having entered the United States legally, are now forced to leave the country within 30 days, under the threat of immediate deportation if they do not have another pending procedure to support them.
One of them is José Fuente, a Venezuelan who arrived in the United States at the end of March 2024 as a beneficiary of this immigration program.
Fuente is now preparing to return to a country where he has no close family left, as his three children live outside of Venezuela.
"I don't see the future, I see the present, which is very chaotic, the future is today", he said in a statement to Univision.
"The harm being inflicted on individuals who were granted humanitarian parole is twofold," lamented José, who claims to have no other migration options to regularize his situation.
“We entered the country legally, we do not deserve to be treated like criminals”, he stated, visibly affected by the uncertainty.
The revocation of the program has left him in a legal and emotional limbo, with time working against him and without a safe country to return to.
José currently lives in Miami and faces a harsh reality: he must leave the United States before April 24, the deadline established in the Federal Register following the official cancellation of the parole.
His son, José Francisco Fuente, has taken on the challenging task of finding plane tickets for the return, although the task has become complicated due to the suspension of direct flights between the United States and Venezuela.
“It’s a race against time,” the young man explained, lamenting that if his father does not leave, he could face the humiliation of being returned in handcuffs.
The family fears that if they are unable to organize his return on their own, José may be arrested, shackled, and sent to detention centers or deported to third countries, as has happened with other cases transferred to El Salvador.
A way out without options
The case of José Fuente illustrates the anguish of thousands of migrants who relied on the promises of temporary stability offered by humanitarian parole.
The U.S. government has invited beneficiaries of humanitarian parole to self-deport. Those who do so by land are required to use the CBP Home app.
Those traveling by air only need a plane ticket. In both cases, the costs of self-deportation are the responsibility of the migrant.
Forced return to a country that is no longer home
The revocation of humanitarian parole affects tens of thousands of beneficiaries of the humanitarian parole program, which was created to provide a legal and temporary avenue for migrants fleeing humanitarian crises and repression in their home countries.
The new immigration shift involves not only the forced departure of those without any valid status but also the revocation of their work permits.
However, the Department of Homeland Security has clarified that those with pending asylum applications, TPS (Temporary Protected Status), status adjustments, family petitions, or other visas would not be at risk of immediate deportation.
However, those without any active migration pathways face the dilemma of either leaving voluntarily or being detained and forcibly expelled.
For many, like José, returning to their home country represents not only a setback but also a threat to their emotional and physical stability, especially in contexts of political repression and lack of family networks.
José Fuente's testimony gives a face to a measure that has already been labeled by human rights organizations as drastic and insensitive, directly affecting migrants who opted for a legal path to rebuild their lives.
Thousands of Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians who had placed their hopes in this humanitarian mechanism now find themselves in a distressing countdown. As April 24 approaches, stories of forced returns and uprooting are multiplying.
Last weekend, a story made headlines about a 22-year-old Cuban man, a parole beneficiary and resident of Denver, Colorado, who chose to self-deport to Santa Clara after realizing that his work permit would not be renewed due to the announcement of the revocation of humanitarian parole.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Revocation of Humanitarian Parole in the U.S.
What is humanitarian parole and why is it being revoked?
The humanitarian parole is a program that allowed the temporary and legal entry of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela into the U.S., aiming to address humanitarian crises. It is being revoked by the Trump administration under Executive Order 14165, claiming that it does not align with current immigration policy goals. The revocation means that beneficiaries must leave the country before April 24, 2025, or face deportation.
What should beneficiaries of humanitarian parole do in the event of its revocation?
Beneficiaries of humanitarian parole must leave the U.S. before April 24, 2025, unless they have ongoing immigration proceedings such as asylum, TPS, or adjustment of status. Otherwise, they could be subject to deportation. It is advisable to seek urgent legal counsel to explore options for regularization.
How does the revocation of humanitarian parole affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The revocation of humanitarian parole leaves thousands of Cubans at risk of deportation, especially those who have not yet completed the required year and a day to qualify for the Cuban Adjustment Act. Many are facing a migratory limbo and must make quick decisions to avoid deportation.
What alternatives are available for those who lose their humanitarian parole?
Those who lose humanitarian parole may consider applying for asylum, TPS, or seeking the benefits of the Cuban Adjustment Act if they meet the length of stay requirements in the country. It is essential to seek legal advice to evaluate these options and proceed appropriately.
What impact does the revocation of parole have on the migrant community?
The revocation of humanitarian parole affects over 530,000 migrants, creating uncertainty and fear in the community. Many face the possibility of deportation, loss of employment, and uprooting, which has led to an increase in the demand for legal advice and community support.
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