Egypt Daily News – The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump intends to revoke the temporary legal residency of more than half a million immigrants who entered the United States legally under a program launched during former President Joe Biden’s tenure, according to a notice published on Friday in the Federal Register.
The 35-page notice, set to be officially published on March 25, outlines the administration’s plan to terminate the humanitarian parole program and work permits granted to nationals of Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela. These individuals were allowed to fly directly to the U.S. after submitting their applications from abroad. CBS News was the first to report this change.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that approximately 532,000 people entered the U.S. under this program, though it is unclear how many still retain their legal status. Those without another legal way to remain in the country will be required to leave or face deportation starting in late April.
The administration has also already refused to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans and Haitians, a separate designation affecting hundreds of thousands of people residing in the U.S. The first group is set to lose their right to live and work in the U.S. as early as April.
Escalation of Immigration Crackdown
The revocation of the parole program for Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Venezuelans—known as CNHV—marks a significant escalation in Trump’s hardline approach to immigration enforcement. It expands the scope of law enforcement to include immigrants who entered the U.S. legally and have no criminal record.
Biden launched the CNHV program in 2023 as a legal alternative for safe border crossings, particularly to prevent dangerous journeys through the Darién Gap. Trump has long criticized such programs, deeming them illegal and akin to open-border policies. During his campaign, he pledged to end illegal immigration at the southwestern border and implement the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.
Increased Arrests and Deportations
Since taking office, federal agents have conducted more than 30,000 arrests of individuals residing in the U.S. illegally, often in coordination with Justice Department agencies. While officials claim enforcement targets high-risk offenders, some arrests have included individuals whose only violation was lacking legal immigration status. The administration has not yet disclosed the number of people deported.
Bloomberg reported on Friday that the Trump administration is working to dismantle internal oversight bodies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which investigates cases of abuse and discrimination in immigration enforcement. Civil rights advocates and lawmakers warn that this move eliminates essential oversight mechanisms at a time when the administration is ramping up detentions and preparing for large-scale deportations.
Additionally, DHS issued a notice on Friday extending a January decision regarding the ongoing or imminent surge of migrants at the southern border, despite February seeing a drop in apprehensions to 8,300—the lowest monthly level recorded in decades.
