### Biden Administration Ends Temporary Legal Status for Migrants from Four Nations

In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration announced on Friday it would discontinue the temporary legal status for migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. This decision marks a departure from the program initiated nearly two years ago, allowing these migrants to stay in the United States for a span of two years, given that they met certain conditions such as having a financial sponsor and passing background checks.

The program was originally designed as an incentive for migrants to enter the United States legally rather than resorting to unauthorized methods. However, the Department of Homeland Security has now declared that migrants can no longer extend their stay under this initiative, significantly affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who had relied on this provision.

Naree Ketudat, a Homeland Security Department spokeswoman, explained that the initial two-year period was intended to allow individuals to seek humanitarian relief or other applicable immigration statuses, while also contributing to the United States through work. Despite the lapse, the administration will still accept new applicants from these nations.

This policy shift underscores the enduring challenges associated with programs that do not offer a permanent residency route. It also comes amid escalating political pressure to curtail "parole programs" that permit short-term stays for migrants without visa or green card obligations. This has put President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris under scrutiny, particularly from Republican lawmakers who argue that such programs provide backdoor entry for migrants who would otherwise not qualify.

Since its inception in late 2022, during a period of increased border crossings, the program has seen the arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants from these countries. The immediate impact of Friday's decision will vary depending on nationality.

For instance, migrants from Haiti and Venezuela can still benefit from the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which offers work permits and spares them from deportation. Specifically, Venezuelans who arrived before July 2023 and Haitians who came before this summer will remain eligible for TPS. In contrast, Cuban migrants have the option to apply for a green card under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966.

However, the nearly 100,000 Nicaraguan migrants who arrived through this program face a more precarious situation. Without a clear path to temporary protection, they must seek alternative legal avenues to stay in the country, such as applying for asylum.

Previously, the administration allowed migrants from Ukraine and Afghanistan, who had similar temporary entry status, to apply for another round of parole to extend their stay. This discrepancy may place additional pressure on Vice President Kamala Harris, especially if she succeeds in her presidential campaign, to find protective measures for those affected by the latest policy change.