The United States revokes humanitarian 'parole': half a million immigrants at risk of deportation
The Donald Trump administration has decided to revoke the humanitarian 'parole' status and work visas of approximately 532,000 Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, Cuban, and Haitian immigrants who had legally entered the United States during Joe Biden's term. This decision automatically makes these individuals undocumented, leaving them in a state of extreme vulnerability.
What does this revocation mean?
The humanitarian 'parole' is a temporary permit that allows certain immigrants to enter and remain in the U.S. legally, even granting them the possibility to work. Biden had implemented this program as part of a strategy to manage the migration crisis and offer legal options to those fleeing authoritarian regimes and conditions of extreme poverty.
However, with Trump back in the White House, his administration has decided to annul these permits, giving those affected 30 days to leave the country voluntarily. If they do not, they could be detained and deported by immigration authorities.
Impact on the immigrant community
The decision has generated concern among thousands of people who had built a life in the U.S. based on this legal status. Many have secured jobs, rented homes, and even enrolled their children in schools. Now, they face the uncertainty of having to leave the country or live in the shadows as undocumented.
One of the affected individuals, a Venezuelan who received 'parole' in 2023, expressed his distress:
"It is unfair that if Biden gave me 'parole', Trump comes and takes it away. I was working legally and now I am undocumented overnight."
What options do the affected have?
Affected immigrants can:
Leave the country voluntarily within the 30-day period.
Search for legal alternatives such as applying for asylum or protection under other immigration laws.
Remain in the U.S. without legal status, running the risk of detention and deportation.
However, experts warn that legal options are limited and that most of these people may not qualify for other immigration protection programs.
Political and legal reactions
Human rights advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers have condemned the measure, arguing that it leaves half a million people in immigration limbo. Some senators have urged the Trump administration to reconsider the decision or seek a humanitarian solution.
Meanwhile, pro-immigrant organizations are providing legal advice and recommending that those affected not make hasty decisions without consulting a specialized lawyer.