The Biden administration is set to revive a humanitarian program known as CHNV, which could potentially be reinstated as early as this week. This program provides an opportunity for migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba to apply for asylum in the United States, as reported by NBC News on Wednesday.
The program came to a halt several weeks ago due to allegations of widespread fraud. On July 6, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stopped giving travel authorizations to Venezuelans, followed by other nationalities on July 18. The main problem lies with sponsors, who play a vital role in the initiative. Sponsors are individuals residing legally in the U.S. who can vouch for the migrants and guarantee their financial support upon arrival.
According to a recent review conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, it was revealed that more than 100,000 applications had been submitted by just over 3,000 individuals who are commonly referred to as serial sponsors.
The report uncovered numerous instances where potential sponsors were found to be sharing identical street addresses and phone numbers. This included a commercial warehouse located in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, it revealed the use of identical Social Security numbers, some of which belonged to deceased individuals.
Authorities have expressed concerns regarding potential human trafficking as a result of these patterns. Consequently, the Biden administration has decided to temporarily halt the program while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reviews the remaining 30,000 applications. When the program resumes, applications will undergo a meticulous manual vetting process, incorporating enhanced procedures. Any individuals suspected of fraudulent activity will be referred for further investigation, with six sponsors already being handed over to investigators for potential criminal immigration fraud.
According to reports, the government is keen on restarting the program because it believes it plays a crucial role in deterring illegal entry into the U.S. by migrants from the designated countries. More than 2.6 million individuals from these four countries have applied for entry, out of which over 530,000 have been authorized to travel. The exact number of individuals who entered the country through the “serial sponsors” remains unclear.
In October 2022, the program was first introduced for Venezuelans, and later in January 2023, it was expanded to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans. This program offers an opportunity for migrants with U.S. sponsors to obtain work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S. To qualify, migrants must undergo biometric and biographical vetting. However, it’s important to note that the program does not cover travel expenses, which migrants are responsible for.
