Humanitarian Parole Falls by the Wayside as Trump Moves to End Immigration and Expel Migrants as Fast as He Can

Going after immigrants was the number one theme hammered on throughout Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, and as soon as he took office, he began taking swift action to fulfill his promise of executing mass deportations on Day One. One of these actions targets a program known as humanitarian parole, which grants temporary status to individuals with urgent humanitarian needs. Read on to learn some of the major implications of this significant change. If you are facing deportation or removal, denial of asylum, or other difficulties applying for a visa or immigration benefits for yourself or a family member, contact Queens immigration lawyer Scott Messinger of Gladstein & Messinger, P.C., for help from an experienced and dedicated New York immigration law attorney.

What Is Humanitarian Parole?

Humanitarian parole is a discretionary authority that enables individuals to enter the U.S. temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. It has historically been used to reunite families, provide medical care, or offer refuge from crises. One such program, known as the CHNV initiative, permitted up to 30,000 individuals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States, provided they had a U.S.-based supporter.

In a dramatic policy shift, Trump issued an executive order (EO) terminating the CHNV humanitarian parole program. This move came as part of the President’s “Securing Our Borders” executive order, which aims to stop immigration at the southern border, resume construction of a border wall, and deploy federal law enforcement personnel to the border to “aggressively pursue” criminal prosecutions.

Section 7 of that EO is entitled Adjusting Parole Policies. This section requires the Department of Homeland Security to “Cease using the “CBP One” application as a method of paroling or facilitating the entry of otherwise inadmissible aliens into the United States.” CBP One was an app that facilitated scheduling appointments for entry into the U.S.

This section of the EO further requires DHS to “Terminate all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the United States established in my Executive Orders, including the program known as the “Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.”

Implications of the Termination

The cessation of this program has profound implications for migrants from the affected countries:

• Legal Entry Restrictions: Without the humanitarian parole option, individuals from these nations lose a legal avenue to enter and reside in the U.S., potentially forcing them into perilous, unauthorized migration routes.

• Family Reunification Challenges: Many beneficiaries of the CHNV program sought to join family members already in the U.S. The program’s termination disrupts these reunification efforts, prolonging separation and associated hardships.

• Increased Vulnerability: Migrants fleeing political instability, economic hardship, or violence in their home countries now face heightened vulnerability, as alternative legal pathways to safety in the U.S. become more limited.

Other Executive Orders Promise Harsher Measures for Immigrants

Termination of Humanitarian Parole was only one part of one executive order the president issued on the first day of his administration taking aim at immigration, whether lawful or illicit. “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship” is the president’s attempt to end birthright citizenship through a novel interpretation of the Constitution’s 14^th Amendment. “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program” freezes the USRAP program that previously handled refugee applications and admissions. And in one of the president’s longest and most extensive executive orders, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” tells DHS and ICE to go full-speed in removing and deporting anyone in the United States without legal status.

Looking Ahead

The revocation of humanitarian parole for these four countries marks a pivotal change in U.S. immigration policy. It underscores the need for affected individuals to seek alternative legal avenues for entry and residence, such as asylum or family-sponsored visas. However, these processes are often lengthy and complex, requiring legal assistance for success.

For those impacted by this policy change, consulting with an experienced immigration attorney is crucial. Legal professionals can provide guidance on available options and assist in developing strategies tailored to individual circumstances.

As the situation evolves, staying informed about policy updates and understanding one’s rights under U.S. immigration law remain essential steps for affected individuals and their families.

Contact Gladstein & Messinger for Immigration Assistance in New York

Right now is a dire and confusing time for immigrants in the United States who may rightfully fear deportation, denial of admissibility, ICE detention, and other negative consequences flowing out of the new presidential administration. For advice and representation across the spectrum of U.S. immigration law, contact our office at 718-793-7800 or 800-339-0535 for immediate assistance.