Immigrants under the CHNV parole program must secure legal status within two years, according to DHS.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reiterated that migrants benefiting from the parole program known as CHNV must regularize their immigration status within a period of two years. This program grants work permits and authorization to live temporarily in the country to people from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. As long as they have a sponsor in the United States and pass biometric and biographical controls.
Resumption of the CHNV program after pause due to fraud
The CHNV program, which was temporarily suspended in July due to a report that revealed fraud in more than 100,000 applications submitted by a small group of sponsors, was resumed in late August. This reactivation was a relief for the current administration, which considers the CHNV a key piece in its strategy to reduce irregular migration, especially with the presidential elections on the horizon.
New deadline to secure legal status
As of a recent DHS update, it has been made clear that immigrants entering the country under this program must secure legal status. Whether requesting asylum or another immigration benefit, before the two years of your authorization expire. Otherwise, they will face deportation proceedings once their parole period ends.
A DHS spokesperson explained: “Those who do not receive asylum or other immigration benefits must leave the United States at the end of their authorized period of parole or face deportation proceedings.”
The purpose of the CHNV program
DHS has noted that, in addition to allowing beneficiaries to work and contribute to the U.S. economy, the program is part of a broader strategy to reduce irregular migration. This strategy includes collaboration with international partners. Improving refugee processing and also facilitating legal immigration pathways in the region.
Impact of the program in reducing irregular migration
The CHNV program, which was initially introduced in April 2022 to support Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, was expanded in October of that same year to include Venezuelans and, in January 2023, Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans .
The most recent data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that more than 110,000 Cubans, 210,000 Haitians, 93,000 Nicaraguans and 117,000 Venezuelans have entered the country under this program. CBP also reports that encounters with undocumented migrants from these countries at the US-Mexico border have decreased by 99%. This has been since these parole processes were implemented.
This program seeks to continue facilitating legal immigration and reduce tensions at the southern border. A crucial point in the country’s current immigration policy.
Cubans are privileged
In the case of Cubans, the situation is different thanks to the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA). This allows them to apply for permanent residence in the United States after one year and one day of entering the country. This, as long as they meet certain requirements.
This law, in force since 1966, offers a unique path for Cuban citizens arriving in the United States and gives them a significant advantage over migrants from other countries.
Under the CHNV parole program, Cubans, like Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, receive temporary work and residence permits for up to two years.
However, unlike others, Cubans have the option of applying for permanent residence in the United States, under the Cuban Adjustment Act once they have spent one year in the country.
This means that, instead of having to seek other avenues to regularize their status, such as asylum, Cubans can benefit from this. In many cases, this makes the process of obtaining residency more direct and less complicated for Cuban migrants. Who enter under the parole program.
This exclusive benefit for Cubans continues to be an important advantage point within the US immigration landscape. While other migrants in the CHNV program must seek other legal avenues within the two years granted to them under parole.
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