August 29, 2024
Contact: Paige Censale, [email protected] 

San Diego, California － The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) welcomes the recent decision by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume the Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) program. This program is a critical lifeline for those fleeing political instability and violence, providing a safe and legal pathway to protection in the United States.

The Center for American Progress(CAP) column that examines the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole processes finds that the use of immigration parole authority by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) significantly decreased the proportion of encounters with noncitizens in between official ports of entry. Such finding indicates that lawful pathways to parole into the United States leads to fewer migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Since the program began, more than 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans have been paroled under the administration’s CHNV parole program.

The Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance, Guerline Jozef, released the following statement: “We understand that the CHNV program was paused due to concerns about potential fraud. However, we urge the administration to prioritize a first-come, first-served approach when determining who receives approval to avoid potential fraud. Nonetheless, the resumption of this program will significantly impact many lives, offering hope and stability to those who have been waiting for an opportunity to seek safety and rebuild their lives. The Haitian Bridge Alliance stands ready to assist and support the individuals and families who will benefit from this program, ensuring they have access to the resources, guidance, and legal assistance necessary to navigate the complex immigration process.”

The Haitian Bridge Alliance remains committed to advocating for policies that protect the rights and well-being of immigrants and refugees. We will continue to work alongside our partners, allies, and the affected communities to ensure that the CHNV program and other critical immigration programs are administered fairly and effectively.