Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
The Trump administration is revoking the legal status of more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, reversing a Biden-era program that allowed them to enter and work legally in the United States. Affected migrants must self-deport within 30 days or face arrest and removal, according to a federal notice issued on Monday.
The policy shift targets individuals who arrived under the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) sponsorship process, which was established to reduce illegal border crossings by providing legal pathways for migration. The program, which admitted 532,000 migrants, was paused shortly after President Trump took office.
Deportation Deadline Approaching
Migrants will lose their work permits and deportation protections starting in late April, 30 days after the March 25 announcement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is urging affected individuals to register for voluntary departure using the newly repurposed CBP Home smartphone app.
“Those who fail to leave voluntarily will be subject to enforcement actions, including detention and removal,” a DHS spokesperson said.
However, arrests could begin immediately, as DHS has signaled it retains the authority to detain and remove migrants before the 30-day period ends. Priority for deportation enforcement will be given to individuals who have not applied for another legal immigration status, such as asylum or a green card.
Policy Reversal Sparks Controversy
The move marks one of the Trump administration’s most significant reversals of Biden-era immigration policies and has drawn backlash from immigrant advocacy groups. Critics argue that many CHNV migrants, who entered legally and have been contributing to the workforce, are now at risk of abrupt displacement.
“These are individuals who followed the rules and were granted permission to work and live in the U.S. legally,” said an immigration rights attorney. “For the government to suddenly revoke that status is cruel and disruptive.”
The fate of thousands of migrants now hinges on whether they can secure another legal status in the coming weeks or comply with the self-deportation directive. Meanwhile, DHS has reaffirmed that it will prioritize enforcement against those who remain unlawfully beyond the deadline.
With immigration policy once again at the forefront of national debate, the decision underscores the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on border enforcement and its broader efforts to roll back Biden-era immigration programs.
