Trump Administration Revokes Legal Status for 530,000 Migrants Effective April 24

LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2025 — The Trump administration announced Friday it will revoke the temporary legal status of more than 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, effective April 24. This decision expands the administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration, targeting those who entered the United States under the humanitarian parole program established during the Biden administration.

The affected migrants were initially allowed to enter the U.S. under a program that offered two years of temporary parole to individuals with U.S. sponsors. The program, aimed at managing increasing illegal immigration from these countries, has now been terminated in a move described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as necessary for national security.

“We are taking decisive action to ensure our immigration laws are upheld,” President Trump said. “These programs have led to increased pressure on our public resources and undermined the integrity of our immigration system.” The DHS maintains that the previous administration’s parole programs did not effectively reduce irregular migration or improve border security.

In a Federal Register notice, the administration warned that migrants under this program must leave the country prior to the April deadline to avoid facing deportation. The announcement raises concerns for many who entered under the CHNV program, which allowed for temporary entry based on sponsorship.

“Without a clear legal basis to remain, many of these individuals now face the risk of deportation,” said immigration attorney, Maria Lopez, who has worked with affected communities. “It is crucial that anyone impacted by this change seeks legal counsel immediately.”

The decision not only affects the 530,000 migrants but also could impact additional individuals, including approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict with Russia, as the Trump administration reviews their legal status as well.

Biden’s administration had expanded immigration pathways in 2022 and 2023 to address surges in illegal immigration. However, Trump has criticized these measures, arguing they exceeded federal law. He introduced an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing the DHS to terminate the humanitarian parole programs, which he claims creates chaos and increases crime.

The DHS noted in its statement that they will consider individual cases on a “case-by-case basis,” although specifics on the evaluation criteria have not been disclosed. Critics argue this revocation will put thousands of families at risk and intensify existing humanitarian concerns.

In response, District Judge James Boasberg, who has presided over related deportation lawsuits, expressed concern over the potential consequences of the new policies and has called for further clarification from government lawyers regarding the treatment of deportees.

As deportation proceedings loom for many, the future remains uncertain for those impacted, particularly for the vulnerable populations from these nations seeking refuge in the United States amid instability in their home countries.