A comic about humanitarian parole

This article-comic is a collaboration between Boom and the Americas Migration Brief newsletter, which publishes a weekly summary of news and analysis about migration from across the hemisphere.

The comic highlights the complexities of the US border and humanitarian migration policies, explaining how the CHNV humanitarian parole policy is a great success that has granted protection to many, but also faces limitations in accessibility for the most vulnerable. The CHNV parole program celebrated its 2-year anniversary for Venezuelans on October 12; and for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans it will do so on January 5, 2025.

As disinformation and stereotypes grow, attacking the very nationalities that benefit from CHNV, it is more crucial than ever to ensure safe, regular, and orderly channels such as this. Earlier this summer, the program was temporarily paused over allegations of fraud among sponsors —not migrants— but the Biden administration has since moved to resume the program and maintain this vital legal pathway.

CHNV also faces threats of closure should former president Donald Trump win the US presidential election next month, and some beneficiaries may still find themselves in legal limbo in the months to come after the Biden administration recently announced that they would not have their status renewed after they complete their two-year stay in the country via the program. Certain beneficiaries —most notably Venezuelans who have access to TPS because they arrived before July 31, 2023; Haitians that have access to TPS because they arrived before June 4, 2024; and Cubans that can access lawful permanent resident status via the Cuban Adjustment Act— can find some level of protection beyond the scope of the CHNV program. However, between the upcoming election and questions about access to durable legal status for all beneficiaries, the long-term stability and impact of the program currently hangs in the balance. Should Trump win the election, the program will surely meet its demise. If vice president Kamala Harris wins, the program will continue; the question is, in what way?

Amid this context, the comic illustrates the obstacles migrants encounter while attempting to access protection through the CHNV humanitarian parole program, outlining a potential path forward as the program restarts. As such, the recent decision by the Biden administration to recognize Venezuelan passports expired for up to 10 years (see AMB 7/22/24) is a welcome step towards expanding accessibility.