Biden Administration Temporarily Halts Migrant Program Amidst Shocking Fraud Discovery

Clear Facts

• A contentious program by the Biden administration, which permits migrants from four nations to travel to the U.S., has been temporarily halted due to revelations of significant fraud.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has verified that it has temporarily stopped the issuance of advance travel authorizations for the program due to an internal report that revealed widespread fraud in applications.
• The suspension, affecting migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, has incited further questions from Republicans about the administration’s use of parole and its implications for public safety.

Shocking revelations of large-scale fraud have led to the temporary suspension of a controversial migrant program by the Biden administration. The program, which potentially allows up to 30,000 nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) to travel to the U.S. each month, is now under intense scrutiny.

The DHS confirmed it has ceased the issuance of advance travel authorizations for the program “out of an abundance of caution”. This move was initiated in mid-July following the internal report’s unveiling of extensive fraudulent applications from sponsors.

“DHS has established review mechanisms to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in our immigration processes. DHS takes any abuse of its processes very seriously,” a DHS spokesperson stated.

“Out of an abundance of caution, DHS has temporarily suspended the issuance of advanced travel authorizations for new beneficiaries while it undertakes a review of supporter applications. DHS will resume application processing as quickly as possible, with appropriate safeguards,” they further clarified.

The program, first introduced for Venezuelans in October 2022, allowed a limited number to enter the U.S. legally, given they met specific conditions including having a U.S. sponsor and passing biometric and biographical checks. The program does not facilitate travel arrangements; migrants are expected to arrange their transport.

The administration announced in January 2023 that the program had extended to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans, allowing up to 30,000 migrants to enter the U.S. monthly. Additionally, the program offers work permits and a two-year authorization for migrants to reside in the U.S.

An internal report, however, disclosed alarming levels of fraud, finding applications reused social security numbers, addresses, and contact details. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a conservative immigration group, revealed that 3,218 serial sponsors submitted 100,948 forms.

The report also found that 24 of the most frequently used numbers belonged to deceased individuals. Moreover, 100 physical addresses were used between 124 and 739 times across over 19,000 forms. These addresses included storage units. One sponsor phone number was used on over 2,000 forms, and 2,839 forms contained non-existent sponsor zip codes.

FAIR spokesperson, Ira Mehlman, commented, “This is an indication that the administration was willing to cut every corner and endanger public safety to bring in as many aliens as possible.”

The DHS has reiterated that CHNV beneficiaries are “thoroughly screened and vetted prior to their arrival in the United States.” They also noted that no issues of concern have been identified relating to the screening and vetting of beneficiaries.

This pause has triggered further criticism from Republicans. They argue that the Biden administration’s use of parole exceeds the intended scope of authority, which should only be invoked for urgent humanitarian reasons or substantial public benefit.

As of October 2023, approximately 1.6 million applicants are awaiting DHS approval to fly to the U.S. under this program. Despite the program’s controversial nature, a lawsuit challenging it was dismissed earlier this year. However, Republican states involved in the filing have expressed an intent to appeal.

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