The Biden administration has temporarily paused a controversial program that allows tens of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to travel directly into the U.S. after reports of significant fraud within the program surfaced. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the pause, citing the need to review sponsor applications due to detected fraud.
The program, initiated in October 2022 for Venezuelans and expanded to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans in January 2023, permits up to 30,000 individuals per month to enter the U.S. legally under certain conditions. Migrants are responsible for their own travel arrangements, and the program grants work permits and a two-year stay authorization.
An internal report revealed widespread fraud in sponsor applications, with instances of repeated use of social security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. The report highlighted 3,218 serial sponsors submitting over 100,000 forms, including deceased individuals' information and fictitious addresses.
DHS emphasized that beneficiaries undergo rigorous screening and vetting processes before entering the U.S., separate from the scrutiny of U.S.-based sponsors. The freeze on travel authorizations is expected to draw criticism from Republicans, who question the administration's use of parole for migration purposes.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the program as a safe and orderly means of migration management, attributing a decrease in migration numbers to its implementation. Despite facing legal challenges, the administration views the program as a model for addressing irregular migration challenges globally.
As of October 2023, approximately 1.6 million applicants are awaiting DHS approval to travel to the U.S. through the parole program. While a lawsuit against the program was dismissed earlier this year, Republican states involved in the suit plan to appeal the decision.
