Washington (TDI): The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced the abolishment of the temporary legal status for over 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
These immigrants have been cautioned to leave the country before the cancellation of their permits and deportation shield effective April 24, said a notice issued by the federal government.
The 530,000 immigrants were brought into the US through the Biden era sponsorship process known as CHNV that was designed to open legal migration pathways. Trump cancelled the program as soon as he entered office.
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It’s unclear how many of these migrants managed to gain any interim other status that would enable them to stay in the US legally.
The program initiated by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022 was first extended to Venezuelans, and then extended to other countries.
It permitted migrants and their immediate family members to fly into the US.
Arguing that the newly launched CHNV program would help curb illegal crossings at the southern US border and consequently allow better vetting of those coming into the country, the Biden administration would not stop reiterating the need for rigorous cap on foreign immigration coupling with much work on employment for Americans.
On Friday, the Defense Ministry of Homeland Security blasted the last administration and stated that the program did not work.
According to the statement of the agency, Biden officials granted them opportunities to compete for American jobs and undercut American workers; forced career civil servants to promote the programs even when fraud was identified; and then blamed Republicans in Congress for the chaos that ensued and the crime that followed”.
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However, the 35 page notice published in the Federal Register stated that some of those in the United States under CHNV could remain “on a case-by-case basis”.
Trump is likely also weighing whether to void the temporary legal status for roughly 240,000 Ukrainians, who moved to the United States amidst the conflict with Russia.
CHNV has been brought to report that claimed 213,000 Haitians entered the United States due to the deteriorating conditions in the Caribbean country.
Allowed entry to the US under the same program before it was shut down by Trump were more than 120700 Venezuelans, followed by about 110900 Cubans and over 93000 Nicaraguans.
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Last month, DHS announced the end of another immigration status, temporary protected status (TPS), for 500,000 Haitians living in the United States in August.
Nationals of specific countries facing unsafe conditions in their homeland, including armed conflict and environmental disasters, are granted TPS.
Trump’s immigration policies have been embroiled in quite a few legal challenges since assuming office in January.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
