The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides new information on the parole program commonly known as the Biden Program.
More than 213,000 Haitians approved under humanitarian parole program as uncertainty looms
Through October 2024, 213,860 Haitians have been vetted and approved for travel to the U.S. under the program, according to a DHS spokesperson contacted by CTN’s editorial staff.
Of those approved, 211,010 have successfully entered the U.S. since the program’s inception in January 2023.
The program, designed to provide a safe and legal pathway for immigrants from countries in crisis, is set to expire on January 20, 2025, with the end of the Biden administration, leaving many Haitian immigrants uncertain about their future.
It is almost certain that the next Donald Trump administration will end this program, as the president-elect has repeatedly expressed his desire to end this program, which he believes allows notorious criminals to enter the United States.
This humanitarian parole initiative, which also includes nationals of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, has facilitated the legal entry of a total of 531,620 people, according to the DHS.
The program’s rigorous vetting process includes biographic and biometric checks to ensure security and compliance.
The DHS insists that all beneficiaries must meet strict eligibility criteria before being allowed to travel and that they must purchase their own commercial airline tickets to enter the country.
For Haitian nationals, this program has been a lifeline, particularly in the face of the country’s current political and economic instability. However, with the expiration date approaching and the arrival of Donald Trump’s administration—which has previously championed policies of mass deportation—uncertainty is growing within the Haitian immigrant community.
Asked whether the current administration would process applications in progress before January 20, the Department of Homeland Security official declined to comment.
About Temporary Protected Status
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had extended and re-designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) earlier this year, covering the period from August 4, 2024, to February 3, 2026, rumors are circulating about a possible re-designation.
Asked about these rumors—that the Biden administration would consider re-designating a new TPS for Haiti to guarantee some protection for new arrivals under the Biden program—the DHS official says there is no announcement to be made along these lines “at this time.”
The DHS official also declined to comment on potential actions by the Trump administration, stating only that no announcement regarding TPS has been made at this time.
A program under threat
The humanitarian parole program has not only brought relief to migrants but also significantly reduced illegal border crossings.
According to the DHS, encounters with nationals of the four participating countries at unauthorized borders have fallen by 98% since the program was implemented.
As the expiration of the Biden program looms on the horizon, immigration advocates and legal experts are urging beneficiaries to act quickly to change their status to avoid bearing the brunt of Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy. This includes exploring pathways to permanent residency, applying for asylum, or seeking other legal protections to avoid possible deportation under the next administration.
The way forward
At present, the Biden administration has not indicated whether it will take steps to extend or replace the program before leaving office. Advocacy groups continue to call for clarification and action to protect the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have benefited from this initiative.
For Haitians and other immigrant groups, the next few months will be crucial. With the expiration date looming and the possibility of policy changes under the incoming administration, obtaining legal status is more important than ever. The stakes are high, and the future remains uncertain for millions of illegal immigrants in the United States.