More than 1 Million People Who Entered the United States with Government Authorization Are Threatened with Summary Deportation

Washington, D.C. — In addition to the slew of anti-asylum, -refugee, and -immigrant orders that started the Trump administration’s tenure in office, a new directive issued on Thursday threatens over one million people who followed U.S. government rules when they entered the United States with summary deportation. The new Trump policy applies to migrants granted parole, including those offered access to U.S. government-backed humanitarian relief programs, including many fleeing persecution and instability from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti. The policy may also apply to people from Ukraine and Afghanistan that the United States had authorized to stay in the United States because of the Russian invasion and during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“Once again, the Trump team clarifies that its goal is ending all immigration,” said Robyn Barnard, Senior Director for Refugee Advocacy. “The people targeted by last night’s announcement are members of our communities who are now terrified their families will be torn apart and subjected to due process deficient summary deportations. Sending people back to war torn or failed states puts lives in danger and deprives American communities of their significant contributions. The people impacted by this directive had every reason to believe they were following the rules laid out by the U.S. government. This administration is creating chaos where order exists, and their actions will have dire consequences for human lives.”

“The United States promised our Afghan allies that we would stand by them. A commitment that changes from one administration to the next is no commitment at all,” said Gretchen Klingler, Director for Veterans for American Ideals. “I worry about the safety of our Afghan partners and Afghan family of our armed forces service members endangered by this policy; I fear the consequences of the United States destroying its credibility as an ally.”

Press

Published on January 24, 2025

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