Immigration on Hold: U.S. Freezes Humanitarian Parole Applications for Venezuelans

U.S. authorities have suspended immigration applications submitted by Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, and Nicaraguans who entered the country under humanitarian parole, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security to Voice of America.

Suspension of Applications

The pause, which affects applications submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), also applies to Ukrainians who arrived under the Unification for Ukraine (U4U) program, as well as the family reunification process benefiting individuals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The DHS stated that the suspension will remain in effect until “additional investigations are completed to identify any fraud, public safety issues, or national security concerns.” However, no exact timeline was provided regarding how long this review will take.

Background of the Programs

These programs were established by the Biden administration as part of its strategy to address irregular migration. Under the humanitarian parole, around 530,000 individuals from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were authorized to enter the U.S.

However, these programs were designed to be temporary and provided permits to live and work in the country for two years. Beneficiaries had to apply for other immigration benefits if they wished to stay longer in the U.S.

What Does This Pause Mean?

The suspension means that, for example, asylum cases or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) requests submitted by those who arrived under the CHNV, U4U, or family reunification programs will not be processed.

In the case of Cubans, the pause would also affect requests for permanent residence through the Cuban Adjustment Act, which provides a path to residency one year after their arrival in the U.S.

Impact on Immigration Processes

The expert from the Migration Policy Institute, Kathleen Bush-Joseph, said on social media that despite this suspension, individuals “cannot be deported without a removal order,” which means that pending applications “must be decided first.”