In an effort to provide a lawful alternative to illegal border crossings, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the restart of a program that allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States legally. The parole program, which was temporarily suspended due to concerns over fraud, will now require enhanced measures to prevent exploitation and ensure the integrity of the application process.

According to DHS, the program allows 30,000 migrants per month from these four nations to enter the United States legally by submitting an application through a U.S.-based sponsor. However, in June, the federal government suspended these entries after internal reviews uncovered evidence of potential fraud. Investigations revealed instances of sponsors profiting from applications and supplying fake addresses, with some even using the Social Security numbers of deceased individuals.

To address these concerns, DHS has implemented stricter guidelines for sponsors, including increased scrutiny of their financial records and criminal background checks. Additionally, sponsors will now be required to provide fingerprints. The department aims to strengthen the integrity of the process and protect beneficiaries from exploitation.

Since the parole program's inception for Venezuelans in 2022, over 500,000 migrants from the four countries have been approved for travel to the United States. The addition of Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua in early 2023 further expanded the program's reach. Notably, illegal crossings along the southern border by migrants from these four nations have declined by a staggering 98 percent since December 2022, as per DHS data.

The parole program relies on an immigration authority known as "parole," which grants admission to migrants who do not qualify for a visa. Biden administration officials consider this program crucial, providing a lawful alternative for migrants and reducing the reliance on smugglers for dangerous border crossings. Migrants admitted through the program can enter the United States via commercial flights to U.S. airports, with the government not covering the travel expenses. Once granted permission, migrants can stay and work for up to two years, during which they can pursue asylum or other paths to U.S. residency.

However, the program has faced legal challenges from Republican officials in 21 states who argue that the costs associated with new arrivals burden their respective states. In March, a federal judge in Texas rejected their lawsuit, citing the program's success in curbing illegal crossings. The case is currently under appeal.

DHS investigators discovered instances of potential fraud involving sponsors, with some individuals labeled as "serial sponsors" who provided applications for multiple people using their social security numbers on 20 or more applications. Among the more than 2.6 million applications reviewed, approximately 100,000 were flagged as potentially associated with serial sponsors. Additionally, the investigators found that more than 900 sponsors utilized the social security numbers of deceased individuals. The extent to which these fraudulent methods have been used by applicants already in the United States remains unclear.

DHS officials have emphasized that the concerns prompting the program's suspension primarily relate to the screening of U.S.-based sponsors, rather than the migrants seeking approval. The department acknowledges that most of the detected cases of possible fraud have a reasonable explanation but remains dedicated to conducting thorough application reviews and referring violators for potential criminal investigation.

The resumption of the parole program signifies the government's commitment to providing legal pathways while ensuring the integrity of the immigration process. By implementing tighter measures and deterring fraud, DHS aims to facilitate safe and lawful immigration for eligible migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.