Over 1.3 million migrants have entered the U.S. under Biden’s parole programs, leaving U.S. immigration enforcement thinly stretched.
At a Glance
- Over 1 million people have entered the U.S. under Biden administration programs using immigration parole authority.
- Biden administration has extensively used parole to admit migrants fleeing conflicts and crises from various countries.
- Parole allows migrants to live and work temporarily in the U.S. without permanent legal status.
- Republican lawmakers accuse the administration of abusing parole and seek to restrict its use.
Biden Administration’s Parole Programs
The Biden administration has implemented structured parole programs, enabling the entry of more than 1.3 million migrants into the U.S. These programs primarily target migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, providing two-year humanitarian paroles along with work permits. The administration asserts that these programs serve as legal alternatives to illicit border entries, maintaining orderly migration.
Despite its intentions, the extensive use of humanitarian parole has directed criticism toward the administration. Across the political spectrum, there are concerns regarding compliance and enforcement challenges due to ICE’s significant resource limitations. The strain on immigration enforcement raises questions about oversight and the effectiveness of the immigration framework.
On top of enabling open borders, Joe Biden & Kamala Harris have imported over 1 million illegal immigrants into our country — and Bob Casey has supported this every step of the way.
Americans deserve a sovereign nation and Bob Casey is too weak to deliver it. https://t.co/uvizPWpeQe
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) September 17, 2024
Challenges of Immigration Enforcement
ICE faces profound challenges in monitoring and regulating parolees, which complicates maintaining accountability and compliance. Republican lawmakers have accused the administration of abusing parole authority and seek to impose restrictions on its use. The administration promotes its parole use as a strategic balance to address emergencies, reduce illegal border crossings, and provide structured immigration pathways.
Historical data reflects bipartisan usage of parole by both Republican and Democratic administrations for urgent humanitarian reasons, such as the Mariel boatlift or the Hungarian Revolution, highlighting the importance of such measures during emergencies. However, the current level of parole usage has sparked intense negotiations in Congress, with proposals to cap parole grants and bar paroled migrants from seeking asylum.
Specific Parole Programs
Among the key migrants admitted under various parole programs, 422,000 used the CBP One app at the U.S.-Mexico border, while 340,000 Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans entered through a sponsorship program. Additionally, the Uniting for Ukraine program facilitated the entry of 176,000 Ukrainians, and 77,000 Afghans were resettled after the Taliban takeover. Other smaller scale parole programs accommodate immigrants from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, and Central America.
Potential legal limbo looms for paroled migrants if Congress does not enact new laws ensuring their legal status. Proposals in Congress include capping parole grants and imposing restrictions to prevent asylum applications from paroled migrants. The uncertainty and prolonged adjudication process emphasize the need for legislative clarity.
Future Implications
Republican presidential candidates have signaled intentions to end Biden’s parole programs if elected. Legal challenges also persist, including a pending federal court decision on the sponsorship program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The Biden administration argues its policies reflect a balanced approach that incorporates both legal pathways for migrants and penalties for illegal crossings.
The Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, announced on January 5, 2023, aims to admit up to 30,000 individuals monthly from these nations under “humanitarian parole.” This program requires U.S. sponsorship and a thorough background check. As ICE grapples with resource constraints, the efficacy and continuity of the current immigration enforcement framework remain points of contention.
“As a result of these efforts, hundreds of thousands of noncitizens have followed lawful pathways and orderly processes instead of crossing illegally between ports of entry,” said Luis Miranda, Department of Homeland Security spokesman
The use of parole by the Biden administration represents an ongoing effort to address the complex and evolving challenges of global migration. Resolution requires careful consideration of humanitarian obligations and enforcement capabilities to ensure a functional and fair immigration system.
