President Donald Trump Initiates Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
US officials have temporarily suspended several immigration programs, including those benefiting Ukrainians, as part of President Donald Trump’s border security efforts. A directive issued by a senior US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official has halted “final decisions” on applications for these programs while they undergo review.
The directive affects humanitarian parole programs introduced during the Biden administration that allowed approved migrants to stay in the US for up to two years, work, and avoid deportation. These include:
- Uniting for Ukraine: Over 150,000 Ukrainians have entered the US with financial sponsorship as of September 2023.
- Programs for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: Collectively admitting over 500,000 migrants since late 2022.
Family reunification programs and an initiative for Central American minors are also impacted. A USCIS spokesperson confirmed the directive’s existence but declined further comment.
The halt follows an executive order signed by Trump on Monday directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “terminate all categorical parole programs contrary to US policies” and review remaining cases for compliance with US law. Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued additional directives ending broad applications of humanitarian parole and reverting to case-by-case assessments.
“This action returns the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose, allowing us to assess migrants on a case-by-case basis,” explained a DHS spokesperson. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
Trump has consistently pledged swift action on illegal immigration since his inauguration.