The Biden administration announced on Thursday the reopening of an updated version of a migrant sponsorship program that was abruptly paused earlier this summer. The program, initially established in late 2022 and expanded in early 2023, aims to divert migrants away from the U.S.-Mexico border by allowing up to 30,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to fly to the United States each month. However, concerns about fraudulent applications had prompted the suspension of the initiative.

The successful implementation of the policy, combined with Mexico's initiative to repatriate citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who illegally crossed into the U.S., led to a significant decline in unlawful border crossings from these four countries. Nonetheless, in July, officials raised concerns regarding fraudulent applications from potential sponsors, leading to a temporary freeze of the program.

Now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reopening the program, introducing an enhanced screening process for sponsors. In addition to the existing security vetting of the migrants themselves, sponsors will now be required to submit fingerprints for further scrutiny. DHS officials will also closely review the financial and criminal records of potential sponsors, as well as increase scrutiny of repeat sponsors.

"With these updated procedures in place, DHS is resuming the issuance of new Advance Travel Authorizations and will closely monitor how this new process is operating moving forward," stated Naree Ketudat, Homeland Security spokesperson.

To be eligible as sponsors, individuals must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or hold another legal immigration status. It is important to note that the fraud concerns revolve around sponsors, not the migrants, who already undergo security vetting before being allowed to travel to the U.S.

An initial investigation into potential fraud within the program revealed that a majority of the cases of concern had reasonable explanations, such as filing errors. However, some instances of fraud were identified, including prospective sponsors using fraudulent Social Security numbers. A few applicants have been referred to law enforcement for further investigation and potential prosecution.

Known as CHNV, an acronym derived from the four nationalities eligible for the initiative, this policy has been a key component of the Biden administration's strategy to reduce migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. Government data indicates that over half a million migrants have arrived in the U.S. under this program.

The administration has been proactive in creating legal pathways for migrants to enter the country, including through an app that distributes entry appointments for those waiting in Mexico. Meanwhile, efforts to discourage illegal border crossings have intensified, with President Biden taking measures to effectively restrict access to the U.S. asylum system between legal border entry points. These combined efforts have resulted in a nearly four-year low in illegal crossings during the summer.

The CHNV policy allows eligible Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans with American sponsors to fly to the United States, where they can seek temporary work permits under the immigration parole law. This law enables presidents to welcome foreigners based on humanitarian or public interest grounds. The Biden administration argues that the policy is justified on humanitarian grounds, considering the economic crises and political instability in the four countries. Additionally, by providing a legal alternative, the program aims to reduce illegal immigration from these nations.

Republican-led state officials have asserted the illegality of the CHNV policy, claiming that it bypasses the limits imposed by Congress on legal immigration. However, a federal judge in Texas rejected their legal challenge earlier this year, ruling that the GOP-led states had failed to demonstrate any harm caused by the program.