Andrew Kreighbaum
• Ukrainian, Venezuelan immigrants among affected • Follows Trump directive to terminate parole pathways
The Trump administration has suspended immigration benefits for tens of thousands of immigrants admitted to the US under parole programs created by the Biden administration, including one for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the agency put an administrative hold on all pending benefit requests from participants in the Uniting for Ukraine program, as well as a similar program offering parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Both programs required applicants to have a US sponsor. Many of those approved have since secured work permits and found jobs in the US. The benefits freeze potentially stymies their efforts to secure a green card or another status, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.
The Immigration and Nationality Act allows Homeland Security to temporarily “parole” foreign nationals into the US who otherwise don’t have a legal basis for admission if it finds urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.
The Biden administration made broad use of that power, allowing immigrants to enter the US before applying for asylum or a visa allowing them to remain in the US. The parolees may also have applied for Temporary Protected Status, which allows immigrants to stay for up 18 months when conditions in their home countries prevent a safe return.
In a January executive order, President Trump directed DHS to terminate categorical parole programs including the program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan migrants. Following that order, US Citizenship and Immigration Services stopped granting parole to Ukrainians as well as to Afghans fleeing the Taliban government.
CBS News first reported the USCIS memo pausing new benefits.
Also affected is a family reunification parole program for Colombians, Ecuadorians, Central Americans, Haitians and Cubans with American relatives.
DHS said the freeze will remain in place pending the completion of new vetting of the programs for fraud, public safety, or national security concerns.