Over Half a Million Immigrants Lose Legal Status in the U.S., Ordered to Leave

International Desk

The Trump administration has decided to revoke the legal status of more than 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, directing them to leave the United States by April 24.

A federal government notice confirmed the cancellation of the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) program, initially introduced during the Biden administration in 2022. The program aimed to provide a safe and legal pathway for migrants from these countries to enter the U.S. under temporary humanitarian parole.

According to a BBC report, this decision could strip 530,000 immigrants of their legal residency, leaving their future uncertain.

Impacted Immigrant Numbers
The CHNV program allowed the following immigrant populations to enter the U.S.:
– Haiti: 213,000
– Cuba: 110,900
– Nicaragua: 93,000

In addition, the administration is reportedly considering revoking temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainian refugees who fled to the U.S. during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the CHNV program has failed to achieve its objectives, leading to its termination. However, it remains unclear how many affected individuals may qualify under new immigration programs, if any.

The Trump administration justified the move, citing the program’s inability to address immigration challenges effectively. Thousands of immigrants now face uncertainty and the prospect of navigating complex legal and humanitarian challenges as they prepare to leave the U.S.