The abrupt cancellation of humanitarian parole by Donald Trump's administration has sparked a wave of outrage and despair in Miami. The migrant community has swiftly voiced its discontent. In a Univision Miami report, individuals expressed their frustration and sorrow. "Why are they being targeted when they entered legally?" questioned one person. "It's a severe blow because many people sold their homes and belongings to start a new life here, and they've lost everything," another lamented.
Members of the Latino community express concern that this decision jeopardizes entire families. Many are on the brink of obtaining residency, have paid taxes, are employed, and have children in schools. "This isn't fair," they insist.
The impact is particularly profound for Cubans. Many fear being sent back to a dictatorship they fled to seek freedom. Parents face possible family separation following initial deportations, and young people might be returned to a country they escaped from out of fear.
As of Thursday, thousands of Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans have received emails from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informing them that their temporary residency and work permits have been revoked. Failure to leave the country could result in detention and forced deportation.
This decision directly affects over 530,000 individuals who had legally entered the United States through the CHNV parole program, initiated under Joe Biden's administration in January 2023. It's estimated that over 110,000 migrants from Cuba alone used this pathway to reach U.S. soil.
The announcement comes just days after many Cubans celebrated the resumption of immigration processes and work permits, following a court order in Massachusetts. Plans to regularize their status have been abruptly halted by this measure.
Migrant rights organizations have condemned the Trump administration's action as "inhumane" and a way to "punish those who followed the rules." They further warn that this move undermines trust in the U.S. immigration system and leaves individuals who did everything correctly in a precarious situation.
The revocation of parole was sanctioned by a Supreme Court decision and may change as the case progresses through the courts. For now, the impact is real and devastating for thousands of families.
Impact of Humanitarian Parole Revocation
Why did the Trump administration revoke humanitarian parole?
The Trump administration revoked humanitarian parole as part of its broader immigration policy changes, aiming to limit pathways for legal entry into the U.S.
Who is most affected by the revocation of parole?
Cubans, along with Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, are particularly affected, especially those who used the CHNV program to enter the U.S. legally.
What are the potential consequences for those impacted?
Those impacted may face detention and forced deportation if they do not leave the U.S., along with the loss of residency and work opportunities.