Work Permits Revoked for Cubans via CBP One: "We Hope the Government Realizes We're Not All Criminals"

Thousands of individuals who entered the United States through the CBP One app, designed to manage the flow of people at the southern border, are now being notified by the federal government about the imminent revocation of their work permits. The widespread cancellation of work authorizations through the CBP One program significantly impacts migrants, particularly Cubans who arrived on parole, hoping for a secure path to establish their lives in the U.S.

One affected individual, a Cuban mother who requested anonymity, shared her story. After receiving her permit, she began working to pay taxes and support her young child. Now, faced with the order to leave the country, she contemplates returning to a Cuba she describes as unlivable for her family. "I can't imagine my child's future there. We hope the government realizes we're not all criminals and that we came here to contribute," she told Telemundo 51.

Immigration attorneys report an increase in urgent consultations from migrants receiving emails from the Department of Homeland Security, urging them to voluntarily exit the country. They are advised to use the revamped CBP app, now called CBP Home, to manage their departure. In many cases, if individuals fail to provide proof of valid immigration status within 15 days, their permit will be automatically revoked.

Attorney Liudmila A. Marcelo explains, "The parole under which these individuals received their permits is no longer valid, and without that status, the work permit loses its legal standing." Although there are mechanisms to apply for new authorizations, such as political asylum or the Cuban Adjustment Act, all require lengthy waits and strict documentation.

Legal Challenges and Implications

A significant concern is that working without a valid permit could negatively impact future immigration processes. "It wasn't as critical before, but the government now explicitly states it will consider this when evaluating status adjustment applications. It's a dangerous precedent," Marcelo warns.

This measure has particularly affected Cuban migrants, who historically had special laws facilitating their integration in the U.S. However, as the interviewed mother notes, "Now we're all in the same boat. Despite the dictatorship in Cuba, we're facing the same situation and fears."

Experts urge migrants to seek immediate legal advice, as each case is unique, and there are various avenues to maintain their status in the country. A critical warning is never to falsify information during these processes.

The Impact on Cuban Migrants

Many will face unemployment, leading to significant life consequences—not only due to the loss of income but also because of potential damage to their residency applications in the U.S. For Cubans, working without a valid permit doesn't prevent them from applying under the Cuban Adjustment Act, provided they meet the established requirements. This situation should not be taken lightly, as failing to act promptly could result in deportation.

The CBP One program, initiated by the Biden administration to allow more controlled and legal entry through the southern border, became a target of Trump's new immigration policy. In early 2025, the federal government began dismantling this pathway, citing national security concerns and claiming that most beneficiaries failed to meet the parole criteria.

A court ruling in mid-April temporarily halted the elimination of humanitarian parole for those who entered by air with sponsors. However, migrants who arrived through CBP One were not covered by that suspension. "We're dealing with a highly vulnerable population now left in a legal and economic limbo," Marcelo states.

Migrant aid organizations have issued urgent calls for seeking legal representation and caution against making rash decisions. "A poorly managed voluntary exit can result in an in absentia deportation order that's nearly impossible to reverse," the attorney concludes.

The revocation of work permits for immigrants using CBP One has sparked anxiety, uncertainty, and a feeling of abandonment among those who trusted this route to regularize their status. Hundreds of families, many with young children, live in daily fear of receiving the final notification that will determine their expulsion from the country. For them, the American dream is fading amid increasingly restrictive immigration policies.