Migrants who entered the United States via the CBP One app are receiving notifications from U.S. authorities about the impending cancellation of their work permits, which were granted through parole upon crossing the border. This move has caused frustration among those who have legalized their status, are employed, pay taxes, and adhere to legal standards. Many now face a threat to their immigration stability and fear possible deportation soon.
According to documents reviewed by Univision News' Daniel Benítez and journalist Mario J. Pentón, these notifications warn that work permits could expire in just two weeks if recipients fail to prove that they still maintain their parole status. Essentially, within 15 days, migrants who entered using the CBP One app may lose their permits unless they can provide clear evidence of their current immigration status.
Urgent Call for Legal Advice
Legal experts have urged migrants to seek immediate legal counsel, as each case is unique and there are various paths to maintain their status in the country. A critical warning is that under no circumstances should they provide false information in immigration processes.
For Cuban migrants, working without a valid permit does not preclude them from applying for the Cuban Adjustment Act, provided they meet the established requirements. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that this situation should not be taken lightly, as failing to act promptly could result in deportation.
Who is Affected by the Work Permit Revocation?
The affected permit is specifically the one issued under the CBP One program. Migrants with other types of work authorization, such as those applying for asylum or undergoing status adjustment processes, are not at immediate risk, as long as their documentation is in order and current.
Many migrants will face unemployment, which has severe consequences, not only due to the loss of income but also because of the potential impact on their residency processes in the United States. This also includes limitations for those applying under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
This new policy signifies a tightening of immigration controls, even for those who have tried to follow available legal channels. The situation leaves thousands, many of them Cuban, in a state of uncertainty, having trusted CBP One as a secure pathway to legal residency in the United States.
Trump's Immigration Policy Changed Everything
The immigration policy under the Trump administration included the cancellation of humanitarian parole and the CBP One program, an app created during Joe Biden's government that facilitated the legal entry of migrants through scheduled appointments at the southern border.
The impact of this decision intensified in March, when the Department of Homeland Security began officially notifying the revocation of work permits to humanitarian parole beneficiaries, including those who arrived via flights supported by financial sponsors. These migrants—Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Venezuelans—were given until April 24 to voluntarily leave the country, under threat of detention and expedited removal. The notification specified the automatic cancellation of their work permits.
The crackdown expanded in early April, when it was revealed that migrants who had entered the country through the CBP One app were also receiving parole revocation notices. U.S. authorities demanded their immediate departure and urged them to use the app, renamed CBP Home, to process their self-deportation. DHS messages warned that unauthorized stays would result in the loss of all benefits, including employment authorization, and the potential imposition of fines, civil penalties, and criminal proceedings.
On April 15, a federal court issued an injunction temporarily halting the elimination of permits under humanitarian parole. This gave migrants a temporary reprieve, but the government labeled the ruling as a hindrance to national security and reaffirmed its decision to completely eradicate the benefits of that program and the CBP One program.
Key Questions on CBP One Program Work Permit Revocations
What is the CBP One program?
CBP One is an application created during Joe Biden's administration to facilitate the legal entry of migrants at the U.S. southern border through scheduled appointments.
Who is affected by the work permit revocations?
The revocation specifically affects those who received work permits under the CBP One program. Migrants with other forms of work authorization, such as asylum seekers or those adjusting their status, are not immediately affected if their documentation is current.
What should affected migrants do?
Legal experts recommend seeking immediate legal advice, as each case is different and there are various options to maintain their status in the U.S. They should also avoid providing false information in immigration processes.
What are the potential consequences of not acting in time?
Failing to act promptly could lead to deportation, loss of employment, and complications in residency processes, affecting migrants' legal status and benefits in the U.S.