The Trump administration has indefinitely paused immigration applications for migrants who entered the U.S. under key Biden-era parole programs, citing fraud and security concerns.
The decision, detailed in an internal memo obtained by CBS News, threatens to leave thousands of migrants in legal limbo and unable to apply for permanent residency, asylum, or other immigration benefits.
What the pause means
The move suspends the processing of all pending immigration benefit requests for individuals who entered under three major programs:
- Uniting for Ukraine: This program offered a safe haven to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. Over 270,000 Ukrainians arrived in the U.S. under this initiative.
- CHNV Program: Allowed over 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to enter temporarily in the United States.
- Family Reunification Processes: Allowed certain Colombians, Ecuadorians, Haitians, and Cubans with U.S. relatives to wait in the U.S. for family-based green cards.
These programs provided temporary work permits and deportation protections for applicants, usually for two years.
Many beneficiaries also applied for asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to secure long-term legal status. Under the new directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not process any applications for these benefits if filed by migrants who entered under the affected programs.
Fraud concerns
CBS reported that the Trump administration is pausing these applications due to fraud and national security risks, according to the memo authored by Andrew Davidson, acting deputy director of USCIS.
The memo cited investigations that found that some CHNV applications used “serial sponsors,” fake addresses, or the identities of deceased individuals. According to the investigation, some migrants who entered the program were incompletely vetted.
The Trump administration argues that USCIS cannot ensure proper security screenings without a comprehensive fraud review.
In July 2024, the Biden administration paused the CHNV immigration process due to concerns about fraud. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily halted the program to investigate claims of fraudulent applications and to enhance vetting procedures. The program was resumed in August 2024.
What is the impact on migrants?
The pause leaves thousands of migrants in legal limbo, making it harder for them to transition into permanent residency in the U.S.
It’s important to note that, according to the memo, the pause affects new or pending applications for other immigration benefits, including asylum, Temporary Protected Status, or green cards, filed by migrants who entered under these parole programs.
Without other legal immigration protections, migrants remain vulnerable to deportation if their parole status is terminated. In January, President Trump ended the CHNV program through an executive order.
The USCIS memo suggests the freeze could be lifted after a full review, but no timeline has been provided. Meanwhile, affected migrants face growing uncertainty about their future in the U.S.
