The Future of Humanitarian Parole in the U.S. and Available Immigration Alternatives

The U.S. government has announced that it will not extend the humanitarian parole program, which has allowed thousands of citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to reside temporarily in the country for two years. This program, implemented in 2022 and expanded in 2023, has been a significant legal migration pathway, benefiting more than 530,000 people from these four nationalities.

However, with the approaching end of this temporary permit, many beneficiaries face uncertainty about their future in the country. Despite the government’s decision not to extend the parole, other legal immigration alternatives are available for those wishing to stay in the U.S. legally.

You might also like: “USCIS Releases New Guidance on Eligibility Criteria for the EB-1 Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability“

Humanitarian Parole Context

The humanitarian parole was initially introduced in October 2022 for Venezuelan citizens and later extended to people from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti in January 2023. This program was created to offer a “safe and legal” entry option to the country, reducing pressure at the southwestern border with Mexico, where record numbers of migrants from these nationalities were arriving.

The parole allows beneficiaries to live and work in the U.S. for a period of two years, after which they must seek alternatives to regularize their status or, otherwise, leave the country.

Immigration Alternatives to Stay in the U.S.

Although the parole will not be extended, beneficiaries can explore other legal avenues to remain in the country. Some of the available options include:

• Cuban Adjustment Act: Cuban citizens can adjust their immigration status through this law, which allows them to apply for permanent residency one year and one day after legally entering the U.S. Subsequently, they can opt for citizenship five years later. This law is unique and only applies to Cubans who have been legally processed at a port of entry.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Venezuelans and Haitians can apply for TPS, which offers protection from deportation and a work permit. For Venezuelans, they must have been in the U.S. before July 21, 2023, and the registration period is open until April 2025. In the case of Haitians, they have until February 2026 to register.
• Asylum: People from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela can also apply for asylum if they can demonstrate a credible fear of persecution in their home countries. To do so, they must file their application within the first year of their arrival in the U.S. and prove that their persecution is based on reasons such as race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinions.

Consequences for Those Who Do Not Regularize Their Status

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stated that those who fail to obtain an immigration benefit after their parole expires will need to leave the country before their permit expires. Those who remain without having regularized their status may face deportation proceedings.

The Future of Humanitarian Parole

Although the government has reaffirmed that it will not renew permits under the humanitarian parole, it continues to process new applications for those who have not yet arrived in the country, with the promise of issuing up to 30,000 permits monthly. Applicants must meet the requirements, such as having an economic sponsor in the U.S. and completing the process from their home country through a mobile application.

In conclusion, while humanitarian parole offered a temporary solution, beneficiaries must explore other legal avenues to remain in the country and avoid falling into irregular status. The options for status adjustment, TPS, and asylum offer alternatives for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to continue their lives in the U.S. legally and securely.

From: https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/vence-parole-humanitario-opciones-migratorias-eeuu/7814672.html

For more information on these topics, visit Paralegal Clases’ social media pages and join our live sessions every Wednesday.

Instagram:   @Paralegalclases
Facebook:   Instituto Paralegal de las Américas
Youtube:   Instituto Paralegal
Tiktok:   @Paralegalnews