Cuban-American Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with a plea to safeguard Cuban migrants who have benefited from the Humanitarian Parole program and are in the midst of regularization under the Cuban Adjustment Act. On Friday, Salazar, who represents Florida, sent a letter urging that these individuals not be deported while awaiting the completion of their immigration procedures.
In her communication, Salazar appeals to the DHS to allow Cubans who entered the U.S. through the 30,000 visas program to continue their political asylum process and be eligible for status adjustment under the Cuban Adjustment Act. She extended her request to include Venezuelans with pending cases, emphasizing that they too should not face deportation while their cases are resolved.
"I urged the Department of Homeland Security to protect Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians who are in the process of seeking asylum and have no criminal records. Don't punish them for Biden's mistakes!" Salazar declared in a post on X. She emphasized the importance of shielding these migrant groups, highlighting that political decisions and changes in immigration policies should not harm those already engaged in legal procedures to regularize their status.
Salazar's appeal comes amid growing tensions surrounding immigration policies, especially following President Donald Trump's decision to grant new powers to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport immigrants with temporary permits under programs like Humanitarian Parole and CBP One, introduced during the Biden administration.
A DHS memo unveiled in January 2025 grants ICE increased authority to deport beneficiaries of these programs, which were dismantled by Trump early in his presidency, even if they still have ongoing applications. These measures, potentially impacting over 1.46 million immigrants who arrived via these programs since 2023, have faced criticism and legal challenges from immigrant rights organizations, which argue that such actions violate constitutional rights and due process.
Key Questions About the Cuban Adjustment Act and Immigration Policies
What is the Cuban Adjustment Act?
The Cuban Adjustment Act is a U.S. law that allows Cuban natives or citizens who have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States to apply for permanent residence after one year of physical presence in the country.
How does the Humanitarian Parole program work?
The Humanitarian Parole program allows individuals to enter the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, even if they do not meet standard visa requirements.
Why are current immigration policies under scrutiny?
Current immigration policies are under scrutiny due to changes that grant ICE greater authority to deport immigrants with temporary permits, which critics argue could violate constitutional rights and due process for those still in the legal adjustment process.