President Joe Biden announced on Thursday (5) that he is expanding a program to accept up to 30,000 immigrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. On the other hand, he also announced that the program will expel all immigrants from these countries who attempt to circumvent U.S. laws.
In a speech from the White House, Biden also revealed plans to visit the southern U.S. border next Sunday, passing through El Paso, Texas, to meet with local officials and address border security issues. This will be his first visit to the border as president.
Biden took the opportunity to renew his appeal to Congress to pass new immigration laws, arguing that his powers to address a growing crisis are limited.
The announcements come at a time when immigration, especially at the southern border of the country, has been generating criticism of the president. He has faced criticism from Republicans and even some Democrats for failing to handle record levels of immigrants crossing the border.
The 30,000 immigrants per month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela will enter a humanitarian parole program specifically aimed at these nationalities. Those who do not come to the U.S. under this program may be expelled under the law known as Title 42, which remains in effect following a Supreme Court order last month.
Immigrants from these countries wishing to come to the United States must first apply in their home countries before traveling to the U.S. They must have an American sponsor and, if approved, may travel by plane to the country.
Authorities said that this program aims to send a message to immigrants that they should apply for entry into the United States before leaving their home countries and that any attempt to circumvent the process will result in expulsion.
“My message is this: if you are trying to leave Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, or Haiti, and you agreed to start a journey to America, do not – do not – just show up at the border,” Biden said. “Stay where you are and apply legally. Starting today, if you do not apply through the legal process, you will not be eligible for this new parole program.”