The Biden administration is saying those whose parole is expiring from the Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV) program will need to seek another immigration benefits and if they don’t find one, depart the country.
CHNV was implemented by the Biden administration with the intention to reduce irregular migration of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, and to allow qualifying individuals to lawfully enter the United States in a safe and orderly manner on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
The program was briefly paused for fraud concerns but has been reimplemented with better safeguards.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seal hangs on a fence at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2014.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
These processes were set up as temporary in nature, a source told ABC News, to allow the beneficiaries to work and provide them the time and opportunity to pursue avenues for immigration benefits or humanitarian relief if eligible such as, for example, asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
“As initially stated in the Federal Register notices, a grant of parole under these processes was for a temporary period of up to two years,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told ABC News. “This two-year period was intended to enable individuals to seek humanitarian relief or other immigration benefits for which they may be eligible, and to work and contribute to the United States.”
The Department said those who do not have pending immigration benefits or who have not been granted an immigration benefit during their two-year parole period will need to depart the United States before the expiration of their authorized parole period or may be placed in removal proceedings after the period of parole expires.
CHNV parolees may be eligible to apply for humanitarian relief or certain immigration benefits with USCIS, the Department said.
DHS points to the CHNV process as an example of a southwest border encounter reducer.
ABC’s Armando Garcia contributed to this report.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a new requirement for certain recipients of the Central American, Haitian, and Venezuelan Parole (CHNV) program. Under this new rule, individuals in the CHNV program who are receiving benefits such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) must seek alternative benefits or depart the country.
The CHNV program was established to provide temporary relief to individuals from Central America, Haiti, and Venezuela who are unable to return to their home countries due to ongoing conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. However, DHS has determined that some individuals in the program may be eligible for other forms of relief, such as asylum or adjustment of status, which would allow them to remain in the United States permanently.
In order to ensure that individuals in the CHNV program are not taking advantage of multiple forms of relief, DHS is requiring them to either seek alternative benefits or leave the country. This new requirement is intended to streamline the immigration process and prevent individuals from abusing the system by receiving multiple forms of relief simultaneously.
Individuals who are unable to find alternative benefits or who choose not to seek them will be required to depart the country. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the termination of their parole status and potential deportation.
DHS has stated that this new requirement is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of the immigration system and prevent fraud and abuse. By requiring individuals in the CHNV program to seek alternative benefits or depart the country, DHS aims to ensure that only those who truly need protection are able to remain in the United States.
Overall, this new requirement highlights the complexities of the immigration system and the need for individuals to carefully navigate their options in order to remain in compliance with immigration laws. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in the immigration process.
