DHS Strips Parole Protections from 985,000 Migrants Echoing Trump-Era Tactics
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of parole protections for approximately 985,000 migrants who utilized the CBP One app to enter the United States during the Biden administration. These individuals had previously been granted the opportunity to seek asylum and work permits through this program, which aimed to streamline the process of entry at U.S. borders.
The DHS claimed this drastic measure was necessary to address what it described as a border crisis exacerbated by the Biden administration’s use of parole authority. In a statement, DHS emphasized that Secretary Kristi Noem has the responsibility to revoke such protections, framing this action as a response to public demand for stricter immigration policies. This becomes another instance of the current administration continuing the harmful and punitive measures towards immigrants reminiscent of the Trump-era policies.
Affected migrants are now receiving emails instructing them to self-deport using the updated version of the CBP app, aptly named “CBP Home,” an echo of Trump’s previous hardline immigration tactics upon taking office. Importantly, those admitted through specific humanitarian programs, such as Uniting for Ukraine or Operation Allies Welcome for Afghan Allies, will not be affected by this policy change.
This latest move follows prior DHS actions that revoked parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, impacting over 500,000 individuals. The agency’s intentions to rescind Temporary Protected Status for around 600,000 Venezuelans and an additional 500,000 Haitians are currently under litigation, showcasing a pattern of stripping protections from vulnerable populations.
Moreover, the DHS has signaled its intention to impose fines of up to $5,000 on those who fail to leave the country following deportation orders, further reflecting the hostile and financially burdensome approach the Trump-aligned administration has adopted towards immigrants. This strict enforcement marks a continuation of the unethical immigration policies that prioritize constraining migrants’ rights and liberties over compassion and humanity.