Miami Migrants Fear Deportation as U.S. Targets Humanitarian Parole Program

A new directive from the Department of Homeland Security is causing concern by reviewing humanitarian parole cases, potentially revoking the status of over a million migrants.

Programs launched during President Biden’s administration, like CBP One and temporary parole for nationals from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, and Ukraine, are now facing scrutiny. Rivly Breus, founder of the Erzule Paul Foundation in Miami, describes the situation as chaotic, saying, “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”

Nazanin Ash, CEO of Welcome.US, pointed out that humanitarian parole has been used historically to aid those fleeing crises, from Cold War refugees to Ukrainians in 2022. However, she warns that this new directive could harm both migrants and the communities that have welcomed them.

“These newcomers have become our neighbors, colleagues, and family,” Ash said. “This decision disrupts countless lives.”

Farah Larrieux, a community advocate and co-founder of THELAR Management Group, called the move “evil,” emphasizing that migrants don’t leave home willingly, but are forced to flee. In Miami, many are left uncertain about their futures, with fear replacing hope as a constant presence.

“If you’re doing a survey and ask these people, ‘Do you really want to stay in the United States?’ They will tell you, ‘If my country has good governance, economic opportunities, just stability and peace, and security, I will go back home. It’s not a matter of choice. We are forced. We have been pushed out from our country.’”