Trump Administration to Revoke Temporary Legal Status for 530,000 Migrants

WASHINGTON – In a significant shift on immigration policy, the Trump administration announced on Friday that it will revoke the temporary legal status of 530,000 migrants, including Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, currently residing in the United States. The decision, effective April 24, will end a two-year “parole” program that had allowed these individuals to enter the U.S. legally by air under the sponsorship of American citizens.

This move is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Following his 2024 executive order, President Trump has increasingly focused on terminating programs that he believes bypass federal law, specifically programs established under former President Joe Biden.

Trump has consistently criticized the parole entry programs initiated by the Biden administration, calling them an overreach of executive power. He stated on March 6 that his administration would soon make a decision on whether to strip similar parole statuses from some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the U.S. amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. These remarks suggest that the move to revoke the status of migrants could extend to other nationalities as early as April.

The decision to revoke parole status applies to migrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua, whose temporary status was part of Biden’s efforts to manage rising illegal crossings from these countries at the U.S.-Mexico border. Biden’s administration introduced the parole program as a response to humanitarian concerns and strained diplomatic relations with these nations.

Read more: Trump Signs Executive Order Aimed at Dismantling U.S. Education Department

The impact of the Trump administration’s decision could be significant, as many of the affected migrants now face the possibility of deportation if they choose to remain in the U.S. under the revoked status. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that revoking parole status will expedite the deportation process, placing those affected under a fast-track removal process that has been in place since January 2024.

As of now, it remains uncertain how many of the 530,000 migrants have secured another legal status or protection that could prevent deportation. The administration’s actions are expected to heighten tensions surrounding immigration policies and further challenge the already strained immigration system.

This latest action is part of Trump’s broader stance on immigration enforcement, as he continues to push for stricter border control and increased deportations of individuals in the country unlawfully.