Trump Cancels Legal Status for Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants

The Trump administration has revoked the temporary legal status of approximately 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, Al Jazeera reports, citing a notice scheduled for publication in the Federal Register.

This action, effective from April 24, reverses a “parole” program initiated by former President Joe Biden.

The Biden administration had established the parole program, starting with Venezuelans in 2022 and expanding to include Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans in 2023, to manage rising levels of undocumented immigration from these nations. The program allowed individuals with US sponsors to enter the country by air. These programs were introduced alongside efforts to curb illegal border crossings at the US-Mexico border, amid strained diplomatic relations with the respective countries.

The Trump administration argues that the parole programs overstepped the boundaries of federal law. An executive order issued in January called for their termination. The decision to revoke legal status could subject affected individuals to deportation if they remain in the US It is currently unclear how many of those who entered under parole have secured alternative forms of legal protection.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that revoking the parole status would facilitate the use of “expedited removal,” a fast-track deportation process. Under a Trump-era policy, expedited removal can be applied to certain immigrants who have been in the US for less than two years.

The Trump administration is also considering whether to revoke the parole status of approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who live in the US.

In related developments, the Venezuelan government announced an agreement to resume repatriation flights for immigrants from the United States. The Venezuelan government stated its commitment to facilitating the return of those who wish to return to their home country.