In a significant shift, the Trump administration has put a hold on all immigration applications filed by migrants from Latin America and Ukraine who entered the United States under certain Biden-era parole programs. The move, driven by concerns over fraud and national security, affects migrants who arrived under the humanitarian parole programs like Uniting for Ukraine and the CHNV program, which included Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
The parole programs, which were used at an unprecedented scale by the Biden administration, allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to come to the U.S. legally on a temporary basis, often to escape crisis situations or to reunite with family members. These programs provided a faster way for migrants to enter the U.S. without needing a long wait for refugee status or visas, but now, those who were paroled in under these initiatives are facing an indefinite freeze on their immigration applications.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has suspended the processing of all pending immigration benefit applications, including requests for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum, and family-based green cards. This suspension leaves many migrants in limbo as they were hoping to transition from their temporary parole status to more permanent immigration options. Without action, many could face deportation if their parole status is terminated.
The application freeze, which is tied to concerns about fraudulent applications and national security risks, has been described by USCIS officials as necessary to ensure better vetting procedures. According to an internal memo from Andrew Davidson, a top USCIS official, investigations have uncovered thousands of cases where fraudulent information was submitted, such as false sponsorship details, deceased individuals, and identical addresses across multiple applications.
While the pause is indefinite, USCIS officials say it could be lifted once a thorough review of the affected populations is completed. However, for now, the freeze adds uncertainty for those in the process of applying for immigration benefits and casts doubt on their future in the U.S. The move also highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Biden administration’s approach to immigration.
This administrative action has further complicated the immigration situation for thousands of individuals who entered the U.S. through legal, humanitarian channels, leaving many worried about their prospects for a secure and stable future in the country.
