The US Department of Homeland Security announced the Biden administration will not renew the temporary humanitarian entry programme for migrants who have arrived in the US in recent years, Reuters reports.
Some 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have arrived in the US by air since October 2022 and received two-year grants under the “parole” programme. Although the programme is set to expire soon, many of these migrants could remain in the country under other programmes.
Spokesperson Naree Ketudat said in a statement that the decision not to renew the parole programme for citizens of the four countries was in line with the plan outlined by the Department of Homeland Security when the programme was launched. Migrants “will need to depart the United States prior to the expiration of their authorized parole period or may be placed in removal proceedings,” she said.
The Biden administration launched the parole programme as a way to give migrants opportunities for legal entry and reduce illegal border crossings between the US and Mexico. The programme enables migrants with existing US sponsors to enter the country for humanitarian reasons or if their entry is deemed an important public good.
Despite attempts to reduce illegal migration, a record number of migrants were caught crossing the border illegally during Biden’s presidency, but the number of crossings has plummeted in recent months as Biden has imposed new border restrictions.
Immigration is expected to be a major issue for voters in the November 5 election, in which Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris will battle Republican Donald Trump, who has criticised the parole programme.
