Refugees International Condemns Trump Admin’s Move to Terminate Parole, Work Authorization for Hundreds of Thousands of People Who Entered the United States through CBP One

Statement from Refugees International Director for the Americas and Europe Dr. Yael Schacher:

“Refugees International condemns the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of parole and work authorization – and demand for the immediate departure – of hundreds of thousands of people who legally entered the United States through CBP One. These are people who followed explicit instructions from the U.S. government: they waited in Mexico for CBP One appointments, were vetted by DHS at land border ports of entry, and are in ongoing U.S. immigration court proceedings.

This is a cruel and brazen continuation of the Trump administration’s assault on immigrants writ-large – no matter how they entered the country – and on humanitarian protections for people seeking safety.

The previous administration’s regulations made waiting for a CBP One appointment the only sure way to access asylum at the U.S. border. The Trump administration is now threatening to deport the people who followed these rules and are lawfully seeking protection and working to support their families and contribute to the U.S. economy. This announcement rips the rug out from under thousands of Venezuelans and Haitians whose temporary protected status the administration is also arbitrarily attempting to end despite insecurity in their home countries.

The dramatic announcement and unclear implications of this new policy reflects the Trump administration’s complete disregard for the humanity of people with humanitarian parole. Some people who entered the United States through CBP One report that they have not received notice of termination. Last week, CBP sent a similar termination notice in error to Ukrainian parolees. This approach intimidates U.S. communities grappling to understand how to respond to new policy.

In terminating parole in this way, the Trump administration is following a now familiar playbook: drumming up fear and confusion among non-citizens and forcing them out of the country before the illegality of its policy can be stopped in court.

Refugees International is committed to pushing back and working with partners in communities across the country to defend the right to due process and access to safety.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.