The Biden administration has temporarily suspended a contentious program allowing migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) to enter the United States, following revelations of significant fraud in the program.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the decision on Friday, citing an “abundance of caution” as the reason for pausing the issuance of advance travel authorizations.
The program, initiated in October 2022 for Venezuelan nationals and expanded in January 2023 to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans, permits up to 30,000 individuals monthly to enter the U.S. legally under parole if they meet specific criteria, including sponsorship by a U.S. resident and successful completion of biometric and biographical vetting.
However, a recent internal report disclosed widespread fraudulent activities in the sponsor applications, prompting the halt.
According to DHS, the program’s suspension began in mid-July after discovering that numerous applications contained repeated use of social security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers.
Notably, the report indicated that 100,948 forms were filled out by 3,218 serial sponsors, with one phone number appearing on over 2,000 forms.
Some addresses, including storage units, were used between 124 and 739 times, and 24 of the 1,000 most frequently used social security numbers belonged to deceased individuals.
DHS spokespersons stated that the department has rigorous mechanisms to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in immigration processes.
They assured that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would investigate identified fraud cases and refer criminal matters to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
DHS also stressed that while the program’s sponsor applications are under review, beneficiaries are thoroughly screened and vetted before entering the United States.
The program’s suspension has sparked further scrutiny, particularly from Republican lawmakers who argue that the Biden administration’s use of parole exceeds its congressionally granted authority.
Critics, including the conservative Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), have voiced concerns over public safety and the potential misuse of immigration laws.
Ira Mehlman, a spokesperson for FAIR, accused the administration of compromising safety to facilitate the entry of as many illegal aliens as possible.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the program, describing it as a “safe and orderly way to reach the United States,” which has contributed to reducing the number of migrants from the CHNV nations.
Mayorkas highlighted the program’s role in addressing unprecedented levels of migration and noted that other countries view it as a model for managing irregular migration.
As of October 2023, approximately 1.6 million applicants were awaiting DHS approval to enter the U.S. via the parole program.
The program’s future remains uncertain, with ongoing legal challenges and an expected appeal from Republican states contesting its legality.
