In the wake of Donald Trump's recent immigration policies, almost 550,000 Cubans may face deportation. These measures include the indefinite suspension of humanitarian parole programs that allowed temporary entry for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela for humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Since the program's inception in 2023 through July 2024, approximately 110,000 Cubans were vetted and permitted to travel under this parole. Out of these, around 70,000 have parole status but have not yet secured permanent residency, placing them at risk of deportation, as per a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document released on Friday. The document specifies that those lacking another legal basis to remain must leave the U.S. or face deportation proceedings.
The directive also states that pending travel permits, confirmed supports (I-134A), and work authorizations linked to parole will be revoked. Moreover, about 400,000 Cubans hold only an I-220A document, which grants them supervised freedom at U.S. border entries but does not constitute formal legal admission. This group awaits asylum claim resolutions or potential parole enabling them to apply for permanent residency. However, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up monitoring of immigrants with I-220A. Cubans attending scheduled appointments at ICE offices in Florida have been informed of increased scrutiny as their asylum cases progress in court.
These enhanced control measures, including possible home visits, increase the fear of deportation and impact their stability while awaiting legal resolutions in the U.S. Joining those in this immigration "limbo" are over 42,000 Cubans with deportation orders, according to internal ICE data obtained by Fox News. These individuals, who possess an I-220B document, have deportation orders issued by an immigration judge from the Department of Justice but remain in the country and are not in ICE custody.
Searching for Options? Although the Cuban Adjustment Act allows Islanders to apply for permanent residency after a year and a day in the U.S., a suspension of processes in late February halted many Cubans from accessing this benefit as applications were paused for fraud and security reviews. The U.S. government also suspended processing permanent residency applications for Cubans and other immigrants who arrived under the humanitarian parole program implemented during Joe Biden's administration. This measure primarily affected family reunification beneficiaries, including thousands of Cubans entering the U.S. under this status.
While Cuba's ongoing crisis continues to drive citizens to leave, the new U.S. restrictions have drastically reduced migrants' options. Cuban border crossings into the United States have plummeted, with only 150 entries recorded in February 2025, according to the latest data from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Cuban Immigration Challenges in the U.S.
What is the humanitarian parole program?
The humanitarian parole program allows migrants to enter the U.S. temporarily for humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. It was recently suspended for several countries, including Cuba.
What is an I-220A document?
An I-220A document grants supervised freedom at U.S. border entries but does not count as a formal legal admission into the country. Many Cubans hold this document while awaiting asylum or parole.
How many Cubans are facing deportation in the U.S.?
Over 42,000 Cubans currently have deportation orders in the U.S., in addition to those at risk due to recent policy changes affecting humanitarian parole.
What is the Cuban Adjustment Act?
The Cuban Adjustment Act allows Cuban citizens to apply for permanent U.S. residency after one year and one day in the country. However, recent suspensions have hindered this process for many.