The Biden administration has announced it will not renew a temporary humanitarian program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants, particularly from Haiti, to stay legally in the United States. This decision leaves many without a clear path to legal residency, forcing them to seek alternative immigration solutions or face the threat of deportation.
The program, known as the CHNV initiative, was established in late 2022 to curb illegal border crossings. It enabled migrants from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua to live and work legally in the U.S. for two years, provided they had financial sponsors and passed background checks. Since its launch, over 530,000 migrants have utilized the program, with approximately 214,000 coming from Haiti, making it the largest group among the participants. This was followed by 117,000 Venezuelans, 111,000 Cubans, and 96,000 Nicaraguans.
While the administration will continue to accept new applicants under the initiative, existing migrants will not be granted extensions, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “This two-year period was intended to enable individuals to seek humanitarian relief or other immigration benefits for which they may be eligible, and to work and contribute to the United States,” DHS spokeswoman Naree Ketudat said in a statement. However, those who have not secured another legal status will be required to leave the country or face removal proceedings.
The impact of the program’s expiration will vary among the different nationalities. Haitian and Venezuelan nationals may still qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which offers temporary protection from deportation and work permits. Haitians who arrived before June 2024 and Venezuelans who entered before July 2023 are eligible for TPS. In contrast, Cuban migrants can seek permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, a law established in 1966.
However, nearly 100,000 Nicaraguans who entered the U.S. under the program are in a more vulnerable situation. Unlike Cubans, Haitians, and Venezuelans, Nicaraguans do not have a designated legal status to protect them from deportation, leaving them with limited options beyond seeking asylum. Asylum is available for those who can demonstrate persecution based on race, religion, political views, or other protected grounds, but the criteria for asylum are stringent, and not all will qualify.
Immigration advocates have condemned the administration’s decision not to renew the program, arguing that it unfairly targets affected migrants. Critics have noted that similar programs for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees have been extended, allowing those groups to remain in the U.S. for longer periods. This disparity has raised concerns about the treatment of migrants from Haiti and other Central American nations.
