Terminating Protections for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans Another Cruel Offense Against People Seeking Safety

Over 530,000 people were stripped of their lawful status and protections last weekend as the Trump administration terminated humanitarian parole for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) nationals. Starting April 24th, CHNV humanitarian parolees who have been living and working in the U.S. will be at risk of deportation, which will separate mixed status families and deal a blow to American communities.

The CHNV parole program was created to establish a legal pathway for people seeking safety to come to the United States with support of U.S.-based sponsors. The program provided a safer alternative to otherwise dangerous migration routes, and helped reduce crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. CHNV parole beneficiaries and their sponsors were subject to strict processing procedures before arrival to the U.S. Under the program, individuals were allowed to live and work in the U.S. for two years as they applied for more permanent protections and statuses.

The Trump administration has already taken action to remove people granted protections and legal status. Last month, the administration revoked temporary protected status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Venezuelans despite both countries remaining unsafe for return. Reports also suggest that Ukrainians TPS holders who fled the war may also be targeted.

Survey data shows that the CHNV parole program is a successful model for new legal pathways, and that people seeking safety through the program were working, self-sufficient, and filling labor shortages. By terminating this essential program, the Trump administration is further hurting local communities — in at least 27 states — economies, and businesses that have benefitted from their Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan neighbors and workers. This is in addition to demonstrating its cruel commitment to returning people to dangerous conditions and separating mixed-status families of U.S. citizens and children.

“Once again we remind the Trump administration that programs like CHNV humanitarian parole are successful, effective, legal, and lifesaving and must therefore be protected and expanded. We cannot continue to turn our backs on people in need, and shut the door on our most vulnerable neighbors and their families,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director. “Refugee Congress will continue to advocate for all forcibly displaced people, across all statuses. We need our elected leaders to stand for our collective values — to reject policies that separate families and deport neighbors who have helped rebuild our communities, and to instead embrace policies that welcome newcomers in safe and lawful ways.”