GEORGETOWN, Del. - The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday it is ending parole programs that allowed more than 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to temporarily live and work in the United States for up to two years.
Ted Murphy, managing attorney and owner at Murphy Law, says the decision to end the programs is well within the law.
"The creation of the program was done through parole authority by the Biden administration over two years ago, and it’s temporary," Murphy said. "The Biden administration even made an announcement in October last year that they were not going to renew the program, so the two-year period of parole was going to end for many of the people who had already come into the United States."
Murphy shared what those affected by the termination of the parole programs should consider doing.
"Look at your situation and make a plan—and the plan may include going back to your country. It may include pursuing an application for asylum, or, if you’ve married a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, having family members who have already applied for you in the United States, that process can go forward, but there are some legal consequences that happen when a parole program ends," Murphy said.
Yolanda Díaz, who is from Guatemala and knows people who have been protected by these programs, said she empathizes with those facing difficult choices.
"With children, it’s very sad to have to make the decision to leave the country, but I also think it can have benefits later if we make that decision," Díaz said.
Murphy also outlined the potential consequences for those who don’t have another legal option in progress.
"Termination of the parole program requires them to leave the United States. If they do not leave, there are immigration consequences and future consequences that may be difficult to overcome," Murphy said.
Murphy emphasized the importance of planning ahead, especially for those who may wish to return to the United States in the future.
"If you have plans in the future to come back to the United States—maybe you’ve met someone and want to get married, maybe you want to return as a student, or maybe to work—if you get a deportation order, it’s very difficult to remove that order, and you would have to do that before even applying for consular processing," Murphy said.
The Trump administration says immigrants affected by the decision to end the parole programs have until April 24 to leave the U.S. If they do not, they will face arrest and deportation.