On January 5, 2023, President Biden announced that the United States would begin turning away Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who cross the border from Mexico illegally. This policy change is intended to reduce the number of migrants coming to the US border.
The announcement included the following points:
- The US will begin turning away Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who cross the border from Mexico illegally.
- This policy expands upon an existing effort to stop Venezuelans from entering the US illegally at the border, which began in October.
- The existing effort includes an online parole program for Venezuelans, which encourages them to apply for parole online and requires a US sponsor.
- The US will allow 30,000 people per month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela to enter the US with parole status for two years. These individuals will also be allowed to work in the US legally as long as they come through legal channels, have eligible sponsors, and pass vetting and background checks.
- The US Department of Homeland Security will deny asylum to those who do not follow legal pathways and do not first seek asylum in the country they traveled through on their way to the US.
The new rules expand upon an existing effort to stop Venezuelans from entering the US illegally at the border, which began in October. This effort included the creation of an online parole program for Venezuelans, which encourages them to apply for parole online and requires a US sponsor. The Venezuelan parole program has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of Venezuelans coming to the southern border.
These changes to immigration rules will remain in place even if the US Supreme Court overturns Title 42, a Trump-era public health law that allows the US Customs and Border Protection to reject asylum seekers at the border in the interest of American public health.
The Department of Homeland Security will also deny asylum to those who do not follow legal pathways and do not first seek asylum in the country they traveled through on their way to the US, a policy known as the “transit country ban.” Instead, the US will allow 30,000 people per month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela to enter the US with parole status for two years, and will offer them the ability to work in the US legally as long as they come through legal channels, have eligible sponsors, and pass vetting and background checks.
This policy could result in 360,000 people from these four countries legally entering the US in a year. However, significantly more people from these countries have been attempting to enter the US illegally through various means; in November alone, 82,286 migrants from these four countries were stopped at the border.
An immigration lawyer can help individuals navigate the complex laws and processes involved in immigrating to or staying in the United States. They can provide legal advice and representation for a variety of immigration-related matters, such as:
- Applying for visas, green cards, and citizenship
- Seeking asylum or protection from persecution
- Obtaining employment-based visas
- Defending against deportation or removal proceedings
- Appealing an immigration decision
- Advising on compliance with immigration laws
An immigration lawyer can also help individuals understand their rights and options under immigration law and assist with the preparation of necessary documents and applications. They can represent their clients in court and advocate on their behalf before immigration agencies and other government bodies.
If you are considering hiring an immigration lawyer, it is important to choose one who is qualified and experienced in handling cases like yours. You should also be prepared to discuss your situation in detail and provide any necessary documentation.
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