Following the Biden Administration's decision to freeze the humanitarian parole program for Cuba due to signs of massive fraud, travel authorizations for candidates who had not yet received theirs have not only been suspended but also permits that were already granted and valid for months have been canceled. Journalist Daniel Benítez explained this two days ago, citing testimonies such as that of a Cuban who had a departure permit since June and suddenly found that U.S. immigration authorities had canceled it, preventing him from traveling.
He recommended that anyone holding a valid permit should use it as soon as possible to avoid being grounded while the United States decides whether to lift the temporary suspension of a program that has granted more than 100,500 permits since it came into effect in January 2023 until May 2024.
Some individuals with authorized travel to the U.S. through the parole program have managed to leave Cuba in the last 48 hours. However, they were fortunate to fly with American Airlines from Terminal 2 of Havana's airport. Those who had booked their flight with Delta and planned to depart from Terminal 3 couldn't board their flight, despite reports that the U.S. Department of State was willing to allow travel for those with prior authorized permits. This was confirmed to Martí Noticias by a spokesperson from the institution.
Like Daniel Benítez, journalist Mario J. Pentón recommends confirming that the permit has not been revoked before heading to the airport.
With official data in hand, Daniel Benítez estimates that one in six applications for the parole program from Cuba were fraudulent, including, for example, using social security numbers of deceased individuals or paying €2,000-3,000 to a sponsor. He is aware that many people claim they paid to expedite their parole, but the journalist believes they were likely victims of a scam.
Amidst the confusion, many regret having legally applied for the parole process and are waiting for authorization to travel since February, only to be penalized for the actions of others. Others wonder what to do if their travel permit has been canceled, and journalist Daniel Benítez suggests reapplying as soon as possible since there is currently no answer to this reasonable doubt. In any case, he warns that the duration of the U.S. government's investigation to confirm which applications are fraudulent and which are not is unknown.
The fraud in the humanitarian parole process has not exclusively affected Cubans. The U.S. government also suspended it for Venezuelans in early July and for Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians about fifteen days later.
FAQs on the Suspended Parole Program for Cubans
With the recent suspension of the humanitarian parole program for Cubans due to fraud, many questions have arisen. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers that might help clarify the situation.
Why was the parole program for Cubans suspended?
The parole program was suspended due to signs of massive fraud, including the use of social security numbers of deceased individuals and payments to sponsors.
What should I do if my travel permit has been canceled?
Journalist Daniel Benítez suggests reapplying for the permit as soon as possible since there is no current solution for those with canceled permits.
Can I still travel if I have a valid permit?
It is recommended to use your valid permit as soon as possible to avoid being affected by the suspension. However, confirm that your permit has not been revoked before going to the airport.