The Trump administration has announced the termination of a key immigration program that granted temporary legal status to more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The decision will force many to leave the United States by April 24 unless they secure another legal status.
End of CHNV Program
The affected migrants were admitted under the “Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans” (CHNV) program, launched by the Biden administration in October 2022 and expanded in early 2023. The initiative allowed up to 30,000 migrants per month to enter the U.S. legally for two years if they had an American sponsor. It was introduced as a way to provide safe migration pathways and reduce pressure on the U.S.-Mexico border.
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President Donald Trump, who had long promised to curb immigration, halted the CHNV program after taking office in January. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reaffirmed on Friday that the program was always intended to be temporary and emphasized that parole does not grant long-term immigration benefits.
Deportation Deadline
According to a notice published by the federal government, CHNV beneficiaries will lose their work permits and deportation protections 30 days after March 25, meaning they must leave by April 24 unless they obtain another form of legal status.
The DHS has stated that it will arrest and deport those who fail to comply. Migrants are encouraged to self-deport using the CBP Home smartphone app, though officials maintain that they will target those who have not attempted to adjust their immigration status through asylum or other legal means.
Controversy and Legal Challenges
The decision has sparked criticism from immigration advocates, who argue that many affected individuals will be forced to return to unstable conditions in their home countries. Welcome.US, an organization supporting refugees, has urged those affected to seek immediate legal advice.
The administration has defended the move, arguing that the CHNV program was poorly vetted and harmed American workers. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated, “The termination of the CHNV parole programs, and the termination of parole for those who exploited it, is a return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First.” Some migrants may still be allowed to remain in the U.S. on a case-by-case basis, according to the Federal Register notice. However, the exact criteria for these exemptions remain unclear.
Impact on Other Immigration Programs
Trump is also considering ending temporary protected status (TPS) for 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the U.S. after Russia’s invasion. In addition, DHS recently announced it would terminate TPS for 500,000 Haitians in August, though this decision is facing legal challenges.
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The administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement has already encountered legal opposition, with multiple lawsuits expected to challenge these new policies. As the April 24 deadline approaches, thousands of migrants face uncertainty about their future in the U.S., with many scrambling to explore their legal options before deportation proceedings begin.