By Ezekiel David
The Biden administration has reinstated a programme allowing up to 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the US legally.
The programme, paused earlier this month due to fraud concerns regarding US-based financial sponsors, has been relaunched with enhanced vetting procedures.
“Together with our existing rigorous vetting of potential beneficiaries seeking to travel to the United States, these new procedures for supporters have strengthened the integrity of these processes and will help protect against exploitation of beneficiaries,” stated the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The programme, launched in January 2023, is central to the administration’s immigration strategy, which aims to expand legal pathways while restricting asylum for those crossing the border illegally. It targets countries with high emigration rates to the US that often refuse to accept deportees. Mexico has agreed to accept individuals from these countries who cross the US border illegally.
To qualify, migrants need a US-based financial sponsor, must fly into an American airport at their own expense, and undergo vetting by DHS. The programme grants successful applicants a two-year stay and eligibility for work authorization.
Republicans have criticized the programme, alleging it circumvents immigration laws. DHS countered by stating that the enhanced vetting will include stricter scrutiny of sponsors’ financial records and criminal backgrounds, including fingerprint submission.
An internal DHS review revealed isolated instances of fraud, such as the use of fake Social Security numbers, but found no widespread issues. “Since the inception of the process, a very small number of supporters were found to have fraud or criminal issues warranting referral to law enforcement for investigation and/or appropriate action,” the agency said.
Since its launch, the programme has facilitated the arrival of over 520,000 individuals from the four designated countries, leading to a significant decrease in illegal border crossings by those nationalities.
(Source: AP)