The newly inaugurated Republican administration has decided to revoke the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Latin American and Haitian migrants who entered the United States through a sponsorship program introduced by the Democrats. Approximately 532,000 individuals will be urged to self-report in order to avoid arrest by agents.
The cancellation of work permits and protections will be governed by a program that will take effect by the end of April, as indicated by a notice published by the federal government.
The new policy will affect immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who arrived in America under the plan, known as CHNV, designed to reduce illegal immigration at the U.S.- Mexico border by offering legal migration paths for aspiring citizens.
The Department of Homeland Security is urging foreigners to use the CBP Home smartphone app to register for self-deportation. Officials warn that those who have not applied for immigration benefits, such as asylum or a green card, will be the first to be affected by the measure.
In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS spokesperson, emphasized that immigrants admitted to the U.S. through the CHNV process were “loosely screened” and that the program had indirectly harmed American workers. McLaughlin also added that the end of this protection and the end of “conditional liberty” for those who exploited it represents a return to common-sense policies and public safety.
Donald Trump, through his stricter immigration policies, has already initiated a series of deportations affecting an increasing number of immigrants. Since his inauguration, the administration has implemented strategies that have made checks more stringent and accelerated expulsion processes, often sparking controversy both nationally and internationally.
One key aspect of the GOP leader’s strategies has been the intensification of operations by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency responsible for immigration investigations. The operations have focused not only on individuals entering the country illegally, but also on those who have violated immigration-related laws, including migrants without permission or with pending legal proceedings.
Deportations have included both individuals who entered the United States through official channels but had their status revoked, and refugees who had benefited from programs like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the protection plan for the so-called “Dreamers.” Despite legal support from multiple civil rights groups and efforts to block or limit some of these actions, Republicans have adopted a hardline approach, implementing extremely fast intervention processes.
This has also had a significant impact on migrant communities, leading to increased social tensions and a climate of fear among those living in the United States without legal status.
