Trump Administration Moves to Revoke Temporary Status for Migrants Amid Legal Challenges

In a recent announcement, the Trump administration indicated the revocation of temporary legal status for over half a million migrants who entered the U.S. under a Biden-era program aimed at facilitating migration. Advocacy organizations have expressed concern over this decision, emphasizing its potential impact on families who complied with U.S. immigration requirements.

The Trump administration has declared its intention to revoke the temporary legal status for more than 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, stirring controversy and legal challenges. A notice issued by the federal government warns these migrants to depart the U.S. before their permits and protections against deportation expire on April 24.

This action affects individuals brought to the U.S. under the CHNV sponsorship program initiated during the Biden administration, which aimed to create legal pathways for migrants facing challenges in their home countries. The program allowed migrants and their families to enter the U.S. with American sponsors, offering a temporary two-year immigration status known as parole.

Following Trump’s assumption of office, the previously established CHNV program was suspended. Questions remain concerning how many affected migrants have secured an alternative legal status allowing them to remain in the U.S.

Critics, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have accused the prior administration of mismanaging immigration protocols, stating that while the CHNV program intended to mitigate illegal crossings and enhance vetting, it ultimately fell short of its objectives. DHS’s recent remarks highlighted the administration’s disapproval, noting that the program's implementation led to job competition between American workers and migrants, among other issues.

The 35-page official notice indicates that some migrants who entered under CHNV might retain their status on a case-by-case basis. Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Center in California, has announced plans to challenge this revocation in court, arguing that it undermines the efforts made by compliant migrants and their sponsors.

Furthermore, Trump’s administration may also consider terminating temporary legal status for around 240,000 Ukrainians currently residing in the U.S. due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. The CHNV program notably allowed the entry of approximately 213,000 Haitians amid escalating crises in their homeland, alongside many from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

In related developments, DHS recently signaled plans to conclude another immigration designation, known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), for 500,000 Haitians by August and has also halted TPS for Venezuelans, a decision facing imminent legal scrutiny.

Trump's immigration policies have consistently encountered judicial challenges since his inauguration, casting uncertainty over the future of various migrant populations in the United States.