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The U.S. government will not allow migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela who arrived through the humanitarian parole program to extend their immigration benefits beyond two years, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The humanitarian parole program, launched in October 2022 for Venezuelans and expanded in February 2023 to include Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians, was designed to offer temporary relief to individuals from countries facing political or economic crises. More than 500,000 migrants from these four nations have entered the U.S. under the program, which permits temporary residency for up to two years.
The DHS clarified that those currently benefiting from the program will not be eligible for extensions beyond the initial two-year period, signaling a shift in U.S. immigration policy that may lead to uncertainty for many who sought refuge in the country.
The parole program was intended to offer short-term protection and was implemented as part of efforts to manage immigration flows while addressing humanitarian concerns in the respective countries. However, the U.S. government’s decision not to allow renewals beyond two years raises questions about the future of those who remain in the U.S. once their parole period expires. They may need to explore other legal pathways to remain in the country or face potential deportation.
