In a decisive move that is set to anger many of his opponents, President Donald Trump’s administration has announced that it will revoke the “parole” status granted by former President Joe Biden to over 500,000 unauthorized migrants. This action targets the controversial CHNV program, which allowed individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. without a traditional visa, and establishes a 30‑day deadline for those affected to depart the country.

I. A Program Under Fire

Biden’s CHNV program was launched during a surge in illegal border crossings, with the aim of creating a legal pathway for migrants to enter the United States. Under this initiative, prospective migrants were required to secure a U.S.-based sponsor and travel via designated airports instead of crossing the border illegally. However, the program quickly ran into major problems.

The Trump administration has criticized the program for failing to achieve its intended goals. According to officials, instead of reducing the pressure on Border Patrol, the CHNV program became a backdoor immigration system. Not only did it allow over 500,000 unauthorized entries, but it also opened the door to rampant fraud. Gang members reportedly exploited the sponsorship process, and unscrupulous individuals were found selling sponsorships for up to $5,000, undermining the program’s credibility.