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The program began in 2022 with Venezuelans and was an effort to
provide an alternative legal pathway for migrants who were
increasingly coming to the U.S.-Mexico border while the
administration simultaneously cracked down on illegal crossings.
It later expanded to Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans — the
nationalities of the migrants who most frequently tried to cross
the border. The program allowed them to live and work in the
U.S. for two years while they sought other legal status.
The decision comes just a month before the 2024 presidential
election, as Democrat Kamala Harris has worked to project a
tougher stance on immigration. Republican Donald Trump has
derided the administration's immigration policies and has
increasingly insulted and spread lies about migrants in the
U.S., particularly Haitians, in recent weeks.
Homeland Security officials said Friday that those at the
two-year mark must apply for another type of legal status,
depart the country or face deportation. There are multiple
different pathways for many of the nationalities, including
what's called “temporary protected status” for Venezuelans and
Haitians, which allows them to stay in the U.S. because of
extreme violence, unrest or devastating natural disasters in
their home countries.
“This two-year period was intended to enable individuals to seek
humanitarian relief or other immigration benefits for which they
may be eligible, and to work and contribute to the United
States,” Homeland Security spokesperson Naree Ketudat said.
New migrants to the border may still apply for the program, and
it does not affect those from Afghanistan or Ukraine.
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