Cubans Express Outrage Over Termination of Humanitarian Parole: "A Cruel Way to Divide Hardworking Families"

The Supreme Court's decision to permit President Donald Trump to swiftly terminate the humanitarian parole program—an immigration relief initiative that affected over 500,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—has sparked a wave of anger and distress among the Cuban community both within and outside the island. This policy change, which strips temporary legal status from migrants who entered with legal sponsors and met program requirements, particularly impacts around 26,000 Cubans who don't yet qualify for the Cuban Adjustment Act and now face potential deportation at any moment.

Social media has been ablaze with reactions. Conrado González, a Cuban native from Havana, voiced his frustration over what he sees as a lack of respect. "I have relatives who came through the parole program and had to sell everything to get here. They have nothing left in Cuba, where are they supposed to go now?" he lamented. Many beneficiaries are reportedly working honestly and have applied for residency. "Now, having to return with nothing is an outrage. Where are the human rights that are so often discussed in this country?" he questioned.

Feelings of betrayal have also surfaced among those who, from exile, placed their trust in Trump. A disappointed elderly woman in Miami sent a direct message to him: "Trump, calm down, you're going too far. We voted for you, Florida was always yours, and now you do this to us Cubans who are responsible, working people without issues. You should reconsider the parole decision, as many mistakes are being made."

Another user, deeply affected, highlighted the human drama behind the statistics: "This situation is very sad. Until when, my God? This is a terrible way to separate families, good and hardworking people. It's horrible, a nightmare." Yet another lamented: "Now they have a free pass to inflict harm. Poor good people, may God be with them."

Political and Social Reactions

The outrage has also taken a political turn. A Houston resident sarcastically remarked, "There is no one blinder than those who refuse to see. Trump could kill an old lady on Fifth Avenue and his defenders would blame Biden. It's frustrating to deal with such people." Some directly blamed Cuban voters who supported the president. A resident in Hialeah harshly wrote: "Trump warned you. Now let the Cubans applaud, especially those who, after voting for him, have family members facing deportation. (...) Now they will suffer firsthand. For being ungrateful, they were hit by the train they helped create."

The parole revocation means affected individuals will lose their work permits and become undocumented, making them deportable. From Camagüey, a woman called for strength for those still hoping for a chance: "Stay strong, Cubans, soon you'll have been here a year and can apply under the Adjustment Act. Take it easy, we're worse off here under the Castro-Canel regime."

Legal Concerns and Humanitarian Appeals

Legal arguments have also emerged among critical voices. A Cuban warned of the precedent set by revoking a previously approved legal status. "With this logic, the Cuban Adjustment Act residency could be revoked, along with all its benefits, since it was approved by a Democratic president with Democratic control of Congress. Would 95% of Cubans in the U.S. lose their residency and even citizenship?" he questioned.

Others appealed to the humanity of leaders: "Trump, consider that at least the Cubans who left with humanitarian parole have nothing. Sending them back to Cuba is like sentencing them to hunger and extreme poverty." Some recalled that the federal administration initially stated that only criminals would be deported. "That's not true, everyone is being thrown into the same pot, it's all very sad," commented one user.

"Those who committed fraud with the parole are to blame, now the innocent pay for the guilty," said another.

Following the Supreme Court's decision, fear is growing among those who have been in the United States for less than a year and cannot yet legalize their status. Many sold their homes, left everything behind, and said goodbye to their families with the promise of a safer life. Now, facing the imminent threat of deportation, that promise has become a nightmare. A young woman summed it up bluntly: "It was to be expected. They are going to destroy the mental health of immigrants."

The ruling opens an uncertain chapter for thousands of Cubans. The Trump administration's official silence on the human drama only exacerbates the perception of arbitrariness and once again exposes migrants—especially the most vulnerable—to the whims of deeply ideologized immigration policies.