The US will not renew the legal status of hundreds of thousands of immigrants

2024-10-05 12:30:34, Kosova & Bota CNA

President Biden's administration will not renew a temporary humanitarian arrival program over the past few years for hundreds of thousands of immigrants sponsored by American citizens, the Department of Homeland Security announced Friday.

Since October 2022, about 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have entered the United States by air and received two-year residency under a program that begins to expire in the coming weeks.

But many of these immigrants can benefit from staying in the United States under several other programs.

The temporary program allows immigrants with existing U.S. sponsors to enter the United States for humanitarian reasons or if their entry is considered to be of significant public benefit. The program anticipates continuing to accept applications from individuals located outside the United States.

The administration of President Joe Biden started the program in question as a way to provide immigrants with a legal path to enter the United States and reduce illegal crossings at the border with Mexico.

A record number of immigrants have been caught illegally crossing the US border during President Biden's administration, but the flow has slowed in recent months after Mr. Biden imposed new border restrictions.

Immigration is an important issue for Americans who will choose in the November 5 elections between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, who has criticized the program in question.

The decision not to renew the temporary residency program for nationals of the four countries in question is based on determinations made by the Department of Homeland Security early in the program's launch, spokeswoman Naree Ketudat said in a statement.

Immigrants who do not have permission to stay in the US "will have to leave the United States before the expiration of their temporary residence permit or face deportation proceedings ," spokeswoman Ketudat said.

Meanwhile, the temporary residence programs for Ukrainian and Afghan citizens have been extended.

Most immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have other ways to stay in the United States. Many Cuban nationals can benefit under a 1966 Cuban Citizens Act, which gives them the right to permanent residency and eventual US citizenship.

A good number of Haitian and Venezuelan immigrants in the United States may benefit from another temporary residency and right-to-work program. Citizens of all four countries can also apply for asylum./ VOA