María Elvira Urges Trump for Temporary Protection for Humanitarian Parole Beneficiaries

On Thursday, Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar appealed to President Donald Trump to grant temporary protection under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program to citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who entered the United States legally through the humanitarian parole program. In her April 9 letter, the Florida Republican representative requested the use of DED as a temporary safeguard for parole beneficiaries while their asylum processes are completed and background checks continue.

The letter begins with, "Dear President Trump, I respectfully request that you grant Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to arrivals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who were legally admitted to the United States under the parole program." Salazar emphasized that DED is entirely at the president's discretion and would allow for proper vetting while pending asylum cases are resolved for these individuals. Although the DED program does not provide immigration status, it prevents deportation for designated individuals for a specified period and allows them to apply for work authorization.

Salazar contended that this measure would enable authorities to continue evaluating cases individually, thereby safeguarding national security and upholding America's promise to protect those fleeing persecution and violence. "We must honor the promises made to the people of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela by balancing compassion with security," expressed the legislator. "These nations are plagued by oppressive communist dictatorships and gang violence," she noted.

This request follows the Trump administration's recent announcement to officially end the humanitarian parole program, which had been implemented in October 2022 for Venezuelans and in January 2023 for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. According to official figures, this decision will impact over 530,000 individuals who were legally admitted with the support of sponsors ensuring their financial sustenance.

In her letter, Salazar highlighted that the current migration crisis in the Western Hemisphere, exacerbated by the opening of the Darién Gap and new air routes, was "worsened by the previous administration," which she accuses of opening the southern border and allowing more than 10 million people, many illegally, to enter. She also praised the current administration for taking steps to restore law and order in immigration policy and for collaborating with countries south of the border to curb migration flows.

Salazar emphasized that the situations in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—governed by authoritarian regimes—and Haiti—engulfed in chaos and gang violence—are unique in the region and deserve special consideration. "DED for these countries will make the United States safer and allow for thorough background checks," she wrote. "It will enable us to deport those who do not qualify and uphold America's legacy as a beacon of hope," Salazar stated.

Currently, countries such as Hong Kong, Lebanon, Liberia, and the Palestinian territories have received DED designations in the past. Implementing Salazar's request would provide temporary relief to thousands of people who entered legally and are now in an immigration limbo following the Trump Administration's elimination of parole.

Salazar's letter was sent after the congresswoman was featured in a billboard labeling Cuban-Americans linked to the Trump Administration as "traitors" for not supporting the immigrant community against the stringent immigration policies enacted since January.