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The Biden administration has recently suspended a contentious immigration initiative that permitted tens of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States. This decision follows an internal report that revealed substantial fraud within the program.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informed Fox News Digital that it decided to halt the issuance of advance travel authorizations “out of an abundance of caution.” This pause affects a program that allowed up to 30,000 individuals from the four countries to enter the U.S. each month under a temporary parole system if they met specific criteria. This initiative, originally launched for Venezuelans in October 2022, was later expanded to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans in January 2023. Under the program, migrants could receive work permits and a two-year residency authorization, provided they had a sponsor in the U.S. and passed certain security checks.
A congressional source revealed that the program’s suspension began in mid-July after an internal audit uncovered widespread fraud in the sponsor applications. The DHS confirmed that the review is focused on potential issues with the sponsor applications rather than the beneficiaries themselves. The department stressed its commitment to preventing and addressing fraud, with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ready to investigate and prosecute any identified cases.
The internal report, obtained by Fox News Digital and shared by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a conservative advocacy group, highlighted significant irregularities. The report noted that thousands of forms were submitted using duplicate social security numbers, phone numbers, and addresses, some of which were associated with deceased individuals or non-existent locations.
The suspension has drawn criticism from Republicans, who argue that the Biden administration’s use of parole authority exceeds its intended scope. They contend that this program demonstrates a disregard for legal and safety standards, prioritizing the influx of migrants over rigorous scrutiny. FAIR’s spokesperson, Ira Mehlman, suggested that the program’s flaws reflect a broader pattern of administrative overreach.
Additionally, the Biden administration is utilizing the CBP One app to facilitate the entry of 1,450 migrants daily through designated ports of entry and has introduced a “parole in place” policy for the spouses of undocumented immigrants. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the program as a safe and structured approach to managing migration, asserting that it has contributed to a reduction in illegal crossings and served as a model for other countries facing similar migration challenges.
Despite a court ruling earlier this year dismissing a lawsuit against the program, Republican states are preparing to appeal, reflecting ongoing concerns over the administration’s immigration policies. As of October 2023, approximately 1.6 million applicants are awaiting approval to travel to the U.S. under the parole program, underscoring the scale and impact of this initiative.