Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new border enforcement measures to expand the use of Title 42 for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, severely limiting their ability to apply for asylum. More than two million asylum seekers and migrants have been expelled from the United States under Title 42 since its inception in 2020.

DHS also established a new parole process that will allow up to 30,000 qualifying individuals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela combined to reside in the United States for up to two years and to receive work permits. However, individuals who fail to follow this new process may face certain conditions on asylum eligibility, in addition to expulsion under Title 42.

While USCRI welcomes the creation of a safe pathway to bring some Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to the United States, we are extremely concerned about the continued and expanded use of Title 42, the inconsistent provision of parole to different populations, and of forewarned future policies that may create longer lasting restrictions to asylum.

“This administration cannot claim to care for asylum seekers when in the same action it establishes policies to prevent them from reaching the United States in the first place,” USCRI President and CEO Eskinder Negash said. “Protections for some cannot come at the expense of protections for the majority of asylum seekers.”

USCRI, founded in 1911, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization committed to working on behalf of refugees and immigrants and their transition to a dignified life.

For press inquiries, please contact: aplazasrocha@uscrimail.org.