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Republican congresswoman Salazar urges DHS to shield immigrants fleeing communist regimes from deportation

The representative advocated for the cases of Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Haitians who benefited from the humanitarian 'parole' program expanded by the Biden administration. Trump ended the measure on January 20.

María Elvira Salazar during a questioning in the Lower HouseScreenshot / C-SPAN

Cuban-American Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) sent a public letter to the new acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Benjamine Huffman, requesting protection and legal guarantees for Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and Haitians who arrived legally in the United States benefiting from the 'CHNV' program, better known as humanitarian parole. 

In her message, Salazar acknowledged that the Biden administration made a mistake by expanding the program, generating the massive influx of thousands of immigrants into the country through 'parole.' However, the Republican representative also argues that these immigrants entered the country legally and, therefore, do not deserve direct deportation, but that their cases should be analyzed one by one, respecting due process.

"Dear Acting Secretary Huffman, I am writing in response to the January 23, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo titled 'Guidance Regarding How to Exercise Enforcement Discretion'," Salazar wrote.

The letter comes four days after President Trump repealed the measure along with other programs expanded by the Biden administration, such as the CBP One app. It also comes after several media outlets, including the New York Times, reported that the federal government gave Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials the green light to quickly deport immigrants who benefited from these Biden-era immigration programs.

"I am concerned with how this new guidance may affect individuals in Miami," the Florida congresswoman insisted. "As you know, on Monday, January 20, President Trump ended the program formerly known as the "Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV)." Following up on this, yesterday's guidance expands expedited removal against these populations. Since many of these individuals currently reside in Miami, there are open questions on how exactly this will be implemented."

Salazar then noted that these immigrants must be afforded "due process."

"I strongly urge you to ensure that all Cubans paroled in under the CHNV program eligible for or with pending applications for the Cuban Adjustment Act are protected from deportation until their cases are fully resolved," Salazar wrote. "Additionally, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians who arrived under the CHNV program, have no criminal record, and have applied for asylum through the proper legal channels, should also be protected until their cases are fully resolved."

Finally, the congresswoman acknowledged the Biden administration's "mistake" in expanding the program.

"Although President Biden originally created this new program on dubious legal grounds and brought individuals here without a plan for their future, they were still enrolled under programs offered to them. Therefore, I believe they should have the ability to see their applications out to rectify their legal status. I look forward to hearing from you," said Salazar.

What is humanitarian parole for Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans?

In 2023, the federal government approved that citizens of these countries, which are experiencing severe political, economic and humanitarian problems, may apply to enter the U.S. legally if they have not crossed the U.S. border irregularly after January 5, 2023 and have a "sponsor" in the country who can demonstrate the necessary economic solvency to support the applicant. Under this measure, the applicant would obtain parole for two years and, in addition, the opportunity to obtain a work permit during his or her stay.
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