On Monday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of temporary parole status for around 1 million migrants who entered the country legally through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile application, CBP One. This application was introduced by the Biden administration in 2020 and underwent updates in early 2023.

Immediate Departure Order

In an email notification, DHS instructed these migrants to leave the United States “immediately” or risk facing serious consequences, including potential criminal prosecution. The message stated that the migrants’ parole would be revoked within seven days of receiving the notice.

DHS emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that failure to comply could result in enforcement actions leading to their removal, along with possible civil fines and penalties. A link was also provided to a new app named CBP Home, which features a self-reporting option for those looking to voluntarily depart.

Background on CBP One Usage

Nearly 985,000 migrants used the CBP One app to schedule appointments for immigration processing at U.S. ports of entry, receiving a temporary status that allowed them to reside in the country for two years with work authorization. However, DHS stated that the implementation of the app and the resulting paroles contributed to what they described as a “border crisis” under the previous administration’s policies.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

This policy change specifically affects migrants from various countries, including Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. While people entering the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome (for Afghans) and the Uniting for Ukraine program are not impacted, over 200,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries recently received erroneous notifications regarding their status.

According to immigration sources, the recent DHS announcement should not affect those with pending asylum applications who entered via CBP One, as deportation processes typically await the completion of hearings.

Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concerns

A notable legal battle arose when a federal judge in San Francisco blocked efforts to deport 350,000 Venezuelan migrants holding Temporary Protected Status (TPS), citing potential irreparable harm and “unconstitutional animus” behind the deportations.

Critics of the DHS decision have voiced strong objections, suggesting that it targets migrants who adhered to legal pathways for entry. Advocacy groups argue that such actions could violate the rights of migrants, drawing attention to reported cases of mistreatment in detention facilities.

Political Implications

The termination of parole has ignited a political debate, with proponents claiming it fulfills promises to enforce stricter immigration control, while opponents criticize it for being vindictive and damaging to vulnerable populations.

Human rights attorney Qasim Rashid remarked, “985K migrants entered [the] USA through legal means during the previous administration,” condemning the unilateral revocation of their status. Attorney Allen Orr Jr. reaffirmed that these actions are punitive towards migrants who complied with existing immigration protocols.