United States Revokes Legal Status of Over 500,000 Immigrants
The United States government, under former President Donald Trump’s administration, has announced the revocation of legal status for 532,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The measure gives those affected a 30-day deadline to regularize their immigration status or leave the country.
Context of the Decision
The order affects beneficiaries of the program “Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV),” implemented in October 2022 by Joe Biden’s administration and expanded in January 2023. This program allowed the legal entry of up to 30,000 migrants per month from these four countries under a temporary permit scheme valid for two years.
The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that this initiative was always intended to be temporary and, by itself, did not constitute a pathway to permanent residency in the United States. With the new order, beneficiaries who have not managed to obtain an alternative immigration status must leave the country by April 24, 2025.
Also Read: “Circumstances in Which a Green Card Can Be Revoked in the United States”
Reactions and Consequences
The decision has raised concerns among organizations that support migrants. Welcome.US, an organization that provides assistance to those seeking refuge in the United States, urged affected individuals to seek legal advice immediately. Karen Tumlin, director of the Justice Action Center, stated that the measure represents a breach of the commitment the government had made to migrants and their sponsors.
Legally speaking, immigration attorney Nicolette Glazer noted that most beneficiaries of the CHNV program may be left without legal status or work permits following the revocation. Of the more than 500,000 affected migrants, only 75,000 have applied for affirmative asylum, leaving a large number of people at risk of deportation.
Future Outlook
This announcement adds to other measures by the Trump administration aimed at tightening immigration policy in the United States. With the promise to carry out one of the largest deportation campaigns in the country’s history, the decision to revoke the status of these migrants could intensify tensions at the border with Mexico and create new humanitarian challenges.
Meanwhile, the affected immigrants and their families face an uncertain future, with limited options to regularize their status in the short term. Experts recommend those in this situation seek legal guidance immediately to assess possible alternatives that may allow them to remain in the country legally.
From: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250322-us-revokes-legal-status-for-500-000-immigrants-1
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