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In its most recent update, U. S. Customs and Protection (CBP) offered a snapshot on the impact of the humanitarian parole program for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV). As a reminder, the Biden administration introduced the CHNV parole program in January 2023, aiming to provide a safe pathway for individuals fleeing violence, persecution, or urgent humanitarian crises.

Here are some key operational statistics for the CHNV program: 

  • Since January 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly received more than 1.8 million applicants for the program; CBP has released application processing numbers for January through July 2023.
  • CBP says these processes have curbed irregular migration and prevented smugglers from exploiting nearly 160,000 individuals; instead, these individuals have benefited from secure, organized, and humane pathways to the United States.
  • As of the end of July 2023, CBP says more than 181,000 CHNV nationals have arrived lawfully through the Humanitarian Parole program, including:
    • Over 41,000 Cubans
    • Over 72,000 Haitians
    • Over 34,000 Nicaraguans
    • Over 63,000 Venezuelans

Eligibility for the humanitarian parole program involves individuals meeting specific criteria: being a national of one of the four designated countries and demonstrating they face a serious threat to safety or freedom in their home country. Accepted individuals are permitted to travel to the United States for one to two years, during which time they can work and apply for asylum.

Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, DHS implemented a review and approval system. This system comprises a 50% approval rate based on the date of application and 50% through random selection. However, the influx of applications has led to significant backlogs, with many applicants waiting several months for approval.

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Photo of Laura Foote Reiff ‡ Laura Foote Reiff ‡

Laura Foote Reiff has more than 32 years of experience representing businesses and organizations in the business immigration and compliance field. She is also a business immigration advocate and has long chaired prominent business immigration coalitions. Laura is Co-Founder of GT’s Business and

Laura Foote Reiff has more than 32 years of experience representing businesses and organizations in the business immigration and compliance field. She is also a business immigration advocate and has long chaired prominent business immigration coalitions. Laura is Co-Founder of GT’s Business and Immigration and Compliance Group which she co-led since 1999. She currently chairs the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. Immigration and Compliance Practice. Laura is also Co-Managing Shareholder of the Northern Virginia Office of GT, a position she has held since 2010. As a global leader in the business immigration community, Laura has served on the Boards of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Immigration Council, the National Immigration Forum and is currently the Chair of the America is Better Board.

Laura advises corporations on a variety of compliance-related issues, particularly related to Form I-9 eligibility employment verification matters. Laura has been involved in audits and internal investigations and has successfully minimized monetary exposure as well as civil and criminal liabilities on behalf of her clients. She develops immigration compliance strategies and programs for both small and large companies. Laura performs I-9, H-1B and H-2B compliance inspections during routine internal reviews, while performing due diligence (in the context of a merger, acquisition or sale) or while defending a company against a government investigation.

Laura represents many businesses in creating, managing and using “Regional Centers” that can create indirect jobs toward the 10 new U.S. jobs whose creation can give rise to EB-5 permanent residence for investment. She coordinates this work with attorneys practicing in securities law compliance, with economists identifying “targeted employment areas” and projecting indirect job creation, and with licensed securities brokers coordinating offerings. She also represents individual investors in obtaining conditional permanent residence and in removing conditions from permanent residence.

Laura’s practice also consists of managing business immigration matters and providing immigration counsel to address the visa and work authorization needs of U.S. and global personnel including professionals, managers and executives, treaty investors/ traders, essential workers, persons of extraordinary ability, corporate trainees, and students. She is an immigration policy advocacy expert and works on immigration reform policies.

 Admitted in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Not admitted in Virginia. Practice limited to federal immigration practice.

Photo of Rebecca B. Schechter ‡ Rebecca B. Schechter ‡

Rebecca Schechter focuses her practice on business immigration and compliance, representing multi-national corporations midsized companies, and startups, as well as individual clients. She has experience with all areas of employment-based immigration, particularly H-1B, L-1, O-1 and E-2 petitions, as well as outstanding researcher…

Rebecca Schechter focuses her practice on business immigration and compliance, representing multi-national corporations midsized companies, and startups, as well as individual clients. She has experience with all areas of employment-based immigration, particularly H-1B, L-1, O-1 and E-2 petitions, as well as outstanding researcher petitions and labor certification applications. Rebecca regularly assists GT clients with global immigration matters, including business and work visas to countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. She also works on state and federal I-9 and E-Verify audits. Rebecca has a thorough understanding of third party contractor issues and experience handling complex naturalization, deportation defense, family and employment-based adjustment applications.

Admitted in Maryland and Connecticut. Not admitted in Virginia. Practice limited to federal immigration practice.