- The US government is revoking legal protections for over 532,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
- Affected individuals have just weeks to secure legal status or leave the country by April 24.
- Experts warn of chaos as many will lose work permits and face deportation.
Why is the US taking this step?
The decision is part of a larger effort to tighten immigration policies. The affected immigrants came to the US under a temporary program introduced by President Joe Biden in 2022, which allowed up to 30,000 people per month from the four countries to stay for two years. However, the Department of Homeland Security clarified that this was always a short-term measure and did not grant permanent legal status.
With the new order, immigrants who do not have another valid immigration status will have to leave within 30 days of the order being published in the Federal Register, which is set for Tuesday.
What does this mean for the affected immigrants?
Immigration experts warn that most of the 532,000 people under this program will have no legal way to stay. While some have applied for asylum, only 75,000 applications have been filed, leaving the majority without work permits or protection from deportation.
The sudden revocation of legal status is expected to cause significant distress, as people who have been living and working in the US for over a year will now have to uproot their lives. Immigration advocates urge those affected to seek legal help immediately to explore any remaining options.
With deportations set to increase, the situation could lead to a humanitarian crisis, especially for Venezuelans, many of whom fled economic collapse and political instability. As the deadline approaches, the fate of these immigrants remains uncertain, and legal battles may follow in the coming weeks.
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