The Trump administration's decision to terminate the humanitarian parole program for Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans has sparked a wave of reactions this Saturday. Among these, there have been strong criticisms directed at Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who has pinned the blame for the migrant crisis on President Joe Biden. "Trump is fixing Biden's political mess, and the legal limbo faced by Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans is entirely Biden's fault. He deceived them," Salazar declared on social media.
However, her remarks have ignited a flurry of responses from Cuban and Venezuelan migrants, accusing her of assigning blame rather than offering solutions. Users on X (formerly Twitter) quickly voiced their frustration, with mixed views on the role of Cuban-American political leaders in the ongoing migrant crisis.
While some expressed gratitude for the congresswoman's support, they emphasized the detrimental impact of current Republican administration policies on migrants. "Thank you for the support, Congresswoman. But most Venezuelans believed in you unconditionally, and today we are the group most affected by your policies," one user commented.
Activist Mónica Taher countered, "That's not true. You turned your back on your own people and are also responsible for what's happening." Another user, Charles Shapiro, sarcastically remarked, "Incredible double talk. What you're saying is: 'Trump made a mistake by kicking out Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who entered legally, but the only way to fix it is to blame Biden.'"
Moreover, Salazar's statements blaming the Biden Administration are seen by some as an attempt to divert attention from issues within her own party.
Questions About the Cuban Migrant Crisis
What is the humanitarian parole program?
The humanitarian parole program allows individuals from certain countries to enter the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, even if they do not meet the usual requirements for a visa.
Why did the Trump administration end the parole program?
The Trump administration decided to end the parole program as part of a broader strategy to tighten immigration policies and reduce the number of migrants entering the United States, citing the need for stronger border security.