Despite the uncertainty following the cancellation of hundreds of travel permits due to alleged fraud, several Cuban beneficiaries of the humanitarian parole program managed to board their flights to the United States from various airports on the island.
Telemundo 51 confirmed at the terminal of Miami International Airport that many Cubans successfully entered the country with their travel permits still active.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) verified that some travel permits had been revoked as part of their review of the program and the detection of fraud in thousands of applications; however, cases are still being processed.
José Ignacio, one of the passengers who managed to board, recounted that the previous day, upon arriving at Santiago de Cuba airport, they were not allowed to board the plane because their permits had been canceled; but the following day, they were able to fly. "I arrived at Santiago airport, and they prohibited us from traveling. Imagine the frustration of those of us who were there, about to fulfill our dreams," José Ignacio narrated.
While dozens of migrants with travel permits managed to arrive in the United States, others discovered that their permits had been unexpectedly canceled.
On Friday, the DHS announced a temporary suspension in the issuance of travel permits for beneficiaries of the Humanitarian Parole program while fraud cases were being investigated. However, there was no information provided about the inability to fly for those who already had valid permits.
"Individuals with approved authorizations can travel," DHS clarified to Telemundo 51.
The Humanitarian Parole program was initially designed for Venezuelans in October 2022 and later extended to Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans in January 2023, as part of the Biden administration's effort to control the crisis at the southern border.
By the end of June, more than 100,000 Cuban citizens had traveled to the U.S. under this program, according to official figures.
Understanding the Humanitarian Parole Program and Its Impact
Given the complexities and recent developments surrounding the Humanitarian Parole program, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What is the Humanitarian Parole program?
The Humanitarian Parole program allows certain individuals to enter the United States on a temporary basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Why were some travel permits canceled?
The Department of Homeland Security revoked some travel permits as part of their review process after detecting fraud in thousands of applications.
Can individuals with valid travel permits still travel?
Yes, individuals with approved authorizations can still travel, as confirmed by the DHS.