Biden’s New Program Sparks Unexpected Rise in Legal Migration

Line of people walking with backpacks outdoors.

A significant rise in legal migration through the Biden administration’s mass parole program is drawing both support and criticism.

At a Glance

A recent CBP report highlights an increase in legal migration through Biden’s mass parole program.
Approximately 530,000 migrants from Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela were granted parole.
Program aims to manage migration flows and address humanitarian needs.
Critics argue the administration is abusing parole authority and circumventing Congress.

Significant Expansion of Legal Migration

According to a recent report from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Biden administration’s mass parole program has significantly increased legal migration. About 530,000 migrants from countries such as Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela have been granted parole and entered the U.S. by air, marking a major shift in immigration policy. This program is a part of the administration’s multifaceted approach to managing migration flows and addressing humanitarian needs.

President Biden also announced a program granting lawful permanent residency to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. Known as “parole in place,” this initiative could benefit up to 500,000 spouses and 50,000 children. Previously, many of these individuals faced prolonged family separations as they had to leave the U.S. and wait abroad for their applications.

Qualifications and Impact

Eligible applicants must have lived in the U.S. for over ten years and been legally married to a U.S. citizen as of the announcement date. This program enables eligible individuals to obtain a green card without leaving the country, which facilitates a smoother path to citizenship. Furthermore, participants can live and work in the U.S. for three years while applying for permanent residency.

The announcement also coincides with the 12th anniversary of DACA, and it proposes to expedite work visa applications for DACA recipients, Dreamers, and other immigrants with U.S. college degrees and job offers.

Criticism and Legal Challenges

This mass parole program, however, has not been without controversy. Critics argue that the administration is abusing parole authority and circumventing Congress. The Trump campaign has publicly criticized this program, predicting increased migrant crime and financial burdens on taxpayers.

Texas and other states have argued that the Department of Homeland Security is operating under the false pretense of preventing aliens from unlawfully crossing the border, effectively creating a new visa program without congressional approval.

Maintained Objectives and Expanded Use of Parole

The administration defends its use of parole as lawful and necessary for individual determinations and security vetting. The number of migrants paroled is expected to grow, with programs allowing up to 529,250 migrants annually through the CBP One app and 360,000 through sponsorship programs. The policy notably has no numerical cap.

“Is this also a ‘cheap fake’?” campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt tweeted, tagging White House spokesperson Andrew Bates.

While the administration faces scrutiny over its handling of illegal immigration and border security, the mass parole program reflects a determined effort to navigate the complexities of migration with a focus on humanitarian goals and lawful processes.