The Biden administration has resumed a humanitarian parole program for migrants from four countries after pausing it in July following allegations of widespread fraud.
The program, known as CHNV, allows migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba to apply for asylum in the country if they have a sponsor who can provide financial support for them after their arrival.
However, the program was halted after issues were detected with sponsors: a review by the Department of Homeland Security showed that over 100,000 applications had been filed by a little over 3,000 so-called serial sponsors.
The report found thousands of cases where the potential sponsors used the same street addresses and phone numbers, including a commercial warehouse in Orlando, Florida. It also found the usage of the same Social Security numbers, including those of dead people.
These patterns raised concerns among authorities about potential human trafficking, leading the Biden administration to pause the program while DHS reviewed the applications. The agency said the program will now have enhanced security measures, including increased scrutiny of sponsors' financial records and criminal backgrounds.
"DHS is committed to holding accountable individuals who commit fraud or attempt to exploit others for gain. Any individuals found to have committed fraud or other abuse will be referred to law enforcement for potential prosecution," said a spokesperson for the agency, according to the Miami Herald.
The government was reportedly eager to resume the program as it believes it helps deter migrants from the benefited countries enter into the U.S. illegally. Over 2.6 people from the four countries have applied for entry, with over 530,000 being authorized to travel. It is not clear how many entered through the "serial sponsors."
Initially launched for Venezuelans in October 2022, the program was expanded in January 2023 to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans. It allows migrants with U.S. sponsors who pass biometric and biographical vetting to receive work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S. The program does not cover travel expenses, which migrants must bear themselves.
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