The Trump administration has announced plans to revoke temporary legal status for more than 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, ordering them to leave the U.S. before April 24.

These migrants had entered the U.S. under the CHNV sponsorship program, a Biden-era initiative that provided a legal migration pathway. The program, which allowed migrants and their families to fly into the U.S. with an American sponsor and stay for two years under temporary parole, was suspended once Trump took office.

It remains unclear how many affected individuals have secured alternative legal status to remain in the U.S.

Launched in 2022 under President Joe Biden, the CHNV program initially applied to Venezuelans before expanding to other nationalities. The Biden administration argued that it helped curb illegal border crossings while ensuring thorough vetting. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has since criticized the program, claiming it failed in its objectives and negatively impacted American workers.

A DHS statement accused the previous administration of enabling migrants to compete for U.S. jobs, pressuring civil servants to support the program despite identified fraud, and blaming Republicans for the resulting immigration challenges.

While the Federal Register notice suggests that some CHNV beneficiaries might remain on a case-by-case basis, Trump is also weighing whether to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the U.S. during the war with Russia.

Additionally, DHS recently announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians would end in August. TPS, which shields individuals from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home countries, has also been revoked for Venezuelans, though legal challenges are underway.

Since taking office in January, Trump's immigration policies have faced significant legal opposition.

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1200 HRS, MAR 22, 2025
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