Since President Joe Biden assumed office, the United States has implemented the CHNV program, facilitating the arrival of over 400,000 migrants from countries including Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Under this initiative, migrants are granted humanitarian parole status, allowing them to legally enter the U.S. and obtain work authorization.
Breaking Down the Numbers:
According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the breakdown of arrivals under the CHNV program is as follows: 154,000 Haitians, 95,000 Venezuelans, 84,000 Cubans, and 69,000 Nicaraguans since January 2023. These migrants have been granted lawful entry and parole status, totaling approximately 433,000 approved travelers.
Exclusion from Southern Border Statistics:
Notably, migrants entering through the CHNV program are distinct from those encountered at the southern border. Despite over 2 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2023 and nearly 1 million in the first five months of fiscal year 2024, CHNV program participants are not included in these figures due to their legal status upon arrival.
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Concerns and Legal Implications:
An ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit has shed light on concerns regarding the CHNV program. CBP’s legal team, in correspondence with the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), acknowledged potential law enforcement vulnerabilities associated with flying migrants directly into U.S. airports. This acknowledgment prompted the decision not to publicly disclose the list of airports used for migrant arrivals, citing the risk of exploitation by nefarious actors.
