Trump Administration to Revoke Legal Status for Over 500,000 Migrants

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced plans to revoke the temporary legal status of more than half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

According to a federal notice, affected migrants have been warned to leave the US before their permits and deportation protections expire on April 24.

The 530,000 migrants were admitted under the Biden-era CHNV sponsorship program, which provided legal pathways for entry. Trump suspended the program upon taking office. It remains unclear how many have secured alternative legal status to stay in the US.

Launched in 2022 under President Joe Biden, CHNV initially covered Venezuelans before expanding to other nationalities. The program allowed migrants and their families to enter the US if they had American sponsors, granting them temporary legal status for two years. The Biden administration had argued that CHNV would reduce illegal border crossings and improve vetting procedures.

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the program, claiming it had failed. DHS accused the previous administration of granting migrants opportunities that “undercut American workers” while shifting blame for resulting immigration issues.

Despite the policy reversal, a 35-page Federal Register notice states that some CHNV beneficiaries may be allowed to stay on a “case-by-case basis.”

Trump is also considering revoking the temporary legal status of around 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the US during the war with Russia.

CHNV facilitated the entry of 213,000 Haitians, 120,700 Venezuelans, 110,900 Cubans, and over 93,000 Nicaraguans before its termination.

Additionally, DHS has announced plans to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians in August. TPS, which provides relief to nationals from countries facing crises like war or natural disasters, has also been revoked for Venezuelans, though this decision is facing legal challenges.

Since returning to office in January, Trump’s immigration policies have faced multiple legal obstacles.