The Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC) issued a warning on Monday about the severe impact the revocation of humanitarian parole in the United States could have, a measure announced by the Donald Trump administration that may affect over 150,000 Cubans. "The Trump administration's new immigration policy could create a pressure storm unprecedented for Cuban emigrants," the CTDC stated in a release.
The organization expressed concern that thousands of Cubans might find themselves caught in a legal limbo, unable to regularize their immigration status or return to the island. The humanitarian parole, introduced by Joe Biden between 2022 and 2023 for citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti, allowed immigrants temporary entry into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons. Over 530,000 individuals, including 110,000 Cubans, benefited from the program. However, Executive Order 14165, signed by Trump on January 20, 2025, mandates its cancellation.
Last Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that all current permits will expire in April. "The suspension of the parole and the encouragement of self-deportation are truly alarming for the entire region, particularly for Cuban society," the statement mentions, highlighting the potential return of thousands of migrants to a Cuba entrenched in economic and energy crises.
"It doesn't seem likely that the Cuban government will accept such reverse migration, nor that the current conditions will allow for the sudden reintegration of thousands of Cubans," the CTDC warns. The council urged the Cuban-American community and their elected representatives to act to prevent the separation of families and the escalation of the migration crisis into detention camps or forced deportations.
The organization recalled that more than 35,000 Cubans still have pending deportation orders from before Biden's program and warned that the number could exceed 150,000 following the parole's cancellation. Trump defended the decision by arguing that the humanitarian parole did not curb irregular migration and strained public resources and the immigration system. The DHS has already started revoking travel permits, confirmed supports, and employment authorizations derived from the program.
"Our concern over the Cuban migration dilemma from the U.S. to Cuba is rooted in recent history," the CTDC emphasized, urging the Cuban regime to receive its nationals and engage in cooperation. However, they cautioned against any attempts to use the deportees' suffering for political propaganda. The organization concluded its statement with a call for shared responsibility among governments and the international community: "Neither Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, nor Cubans should be stigmatized for their social, economic, or political circumstances. They deserve support, assistance, and respect."
Key Concerns About Trump's Immigration Policy
What is the humanitarian parole and who benefited from it?
The humanitarian parole was introduced by Joe Biden between 2022 and 2023, allowing temporary entry into the U.S. for citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti for humanitarian reasons. Over 530,000 individuals, including 110,000 Cubans, benefited from this program.
What are the potential consequences of the parole cancellation?
The cancellation of the parole could lead to thousands of Cubans being caught in legal limbo, unable to regularize their status or return home, and potentially being deported back to a crisis-ridden Cuba.
Why did Trump decide to cancel the humanitarian parole?
Trump justified the cancellation by stating that the humanitarian parole did not effectively reduce irregular migration and placed a strain on public resources and the immigration system.