Miami, the preferred gateway for immigrants on compassionate parole

Most migrant flights entering the United States under the humanitarian parole program land in Miami.

Between January 2023 and the end of February 2024, more than 380,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela arrived in the United States through this Biden program, which requires DHS sponsor approval, a valid passport, and a plane ticket.

according to condition Univision, despite having one of the strictest immigration laws in the United States, Miami has become the primary destination for the majority of immigrants accepted under the humanitarian parole program For Joe Biden's government.

A study conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), based on information from the Bureau of Customs and Border Control (CBP), reveals this trend.

While the study was being conducted, the aforementioned media reports stated that the Department of Homeland Security “refused” to publicly disclose which U.S. international airports had approved direct flights from abroad for certain immigrants inadmissible under the law, but had accepted. Through the temporary humanitarian programme.

How does US parole work?

In January last year, the Biden administration implemented a program called humanitarian parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (the latter joined since October 2022).

Citizens of these countries can enter the United States if the Department of Homeland Security has pre-approved a sponsor who will provide them with support and housing for two years.

Accepted immigrants can only enter the United States by air with a valid passport. The program grants them authorized residency for two years, after which they must leave the United States, unless during that period they regularize their status through any available legal means, including asylum.

In addition, the Immigration Benefit gives them an Employment Authorization (EAD or Work Permit) for the period of authorized stay.

How many immigrants benefited from parole on humanitarian grounds?

As of February, about 386,000 migrants were able to fly to airports within the United States as part of the program, according to the CIS. The goal of the “conditional release” is to “reduce the number of people illegally crossing” the southern border (with Mexico) and relieve pressure in the region, which has set records in the past three years.