More than half a million migrants are warned to self-deport

Immigration into the United States isn’t handled solely through one program. There are many available, some of which are only temporary. For migrants who came into the U.S. under the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program, recent news may come as a shock.

As many as 530,000 migrants who are in the country under the CHNV parole program have received notifications that their eligibility to remain in the U.S and work in this country has been rescinded. The Department of Homeland Security is urging these migrants to self-deport. 

What does it mean to self-deport?

Self-deporting means that the individual leaves the country of their own accord. They’re solely responsible for making their own travel arrangements, but they must notify the authorities that they’re self-deporting. 

One of the most important benefits of self-deportation is that it can preserve the individual’s ability to petition to come back into the U.S. under other programs that they qualify for. That’s a stark contrast to what happens if they’re removed. 

A person who’s deported faces significant bans from re-entry. This means that until they wait a pre-determined period, they won’t be able to come back into the country legally. In some cases, the ban is permanent. 

Is self-deporting the only option?

Some immigrants who are here under the CHNV parole program may have other options to remain in this country lawfully. Exploring these can take time, but that’s limited because of the rescinding of the program. 

Regulations and laws change frequently for immigration matters. Staying abreast of these can be complicated, so it may be best for anyone who’s dealing with these matters to have someone on their side who keeps track of changes and can assist with the application.