The Biden administration has once again initiated a humanitarian parole program for migrants from four countries, resuming it after temporarily halting it in July due to allegations of widespread fraud.
The program, called CHNV, enables individuals from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba to seek asylum in the country if they have a sponsor who can offer financial assistance upon their arrival.
The program came to a halt due to concerns with sponsors. A review conducted by the Department of Homeland Security revealed that more than 100,000 applications were submitted by just over 3,000 individuals known as serial sponsors.
The report uncovered numerous instances where potential sponsors employed identical street addresses and phone numbers, including a commercial warehouse in Orlando, Florida. What’s more, it revealed the use of identical Social Security numbers, some of which belonged to deceased individuals.
The concerns raised by these patterns have prompted authorities to express worries about potential human trafficking. As a result, the Biden administration has decided to temporarily halt the program in order for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to thoroughly review the applications. To address these concerns and ensure the safety of participants, the program will now implement enhanced security measures. These measures include a more thorough examination of sponsors’ financial records and criminal backgrounds.
“DHS is dedicated to ensuring that individuals who engage in fraud or attempt to exploit others for personal gain are held accountable. The agency’s spokesperson emphasized that anyone found guilty of fraud or other forms of abuse will be referred to law enforcement for potential prosecution,” as reported by the Miami Herald.
The government has shown a strong desire to restart the program, as it believes it serves as a deterrent for migrants from the benefited countries who want to enter the U.S. illegally. More than 2.6 million people from these four countries have applied for entry, and over 530,000 have been granted authorization to travel. The exact number of individuals who entered the U.S. using the “serial sponsors” method remains unclear.
In October 2022, the program was first introduced to Venezuelans and later in January 2023, it was expanded to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans. The program offers an opportunity for migrants with U.S. sponsors to obtain work permits and a two-year authorization to reside in the U.S. To qualify, migrants must pass biometric and biographical vetting. It’s important to note that the program does not cover travel expenses, which migrants are responsible for.
