The Biden administration has decided to end the temporary parole program that allowed 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter the U.S. This decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) means that as these individuals’ two-year grants expire, those without pending immigration applications or approved benefits must leave the U.S. or face potential deportation.
DHS emphasized that “those who do not have pending immigration benefits or who have not been granted an immigration benefit during their two-year parole period will need to depart the United States prior to the expiration of their authorized parole period or may be placed in removal proceedings.” This termination of the program raises significant concerns about the administration’s approach to immigration and its impact on American citizens.
Initially designed to manage an influx of migrants, the parole program aimed to facilitate lawful entry into the U.S. and provide migrants with time to pursue legal status. However, the end of the program could result in hundreds of thousands being forced to leave the country, drawing attention to the administration’s management of immigration challenges.
In an effort to address voter concerns over immigration policies, President Biden has reinforced his executive order to restrict asylum claims. This update aims to mitigate illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border and reflects the administration’s acknowledgment of public apprehensions regarding its immigration stance.
Although the Biden administration reports a significant decline in illegal border crossings—more than 50% since the June executive order—the reality remains that over 500,000 migrants have been admitted through the now-ending parole program. The juxtaposition of these figures with the administration’s recent decisions raises serious questions about its priorities regarding the needs of American citizens.