The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revealed that it has carried out approximately 2.2 million immigration enforcement actions since January 20, 2025. This update comes from an official statement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which characterizes these actions as revocations or terminations of immigration status.
According to the DHS, led by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, this figure is in addition to visa revocations and denials by the Department of State and deportations conducted by ICE. The DHS proudly notes that USCIS has taken nearly seven times more enforcement actions than those seen during the final two years of the Biden administration combined.
"President Trump assured the American people that immigration laws would be enforced, and these numbers demonstrate the scale of that commitment. Securing the border was just the beginning," Secretary Mullin stated.
Impact on Cubans Amid Changing Immigration Landscape
Immigration procedures in the U.S. continue to evolve rapidly. Our Immigration section provides the most current information on parole, asylum, USCIS updates, and other factors that might influence your case.
The reported 2.2 million actions are not a single category. The statement lists five types of actions: the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for beneficiaries from 13 countries—impacting around 1.04 million people; denials of requests for change or extension of status; the issuance of Notices to Appear (NTA) to initiate removal proceedings; the removal of automatic extensions for work permits; and the termination of categorical parole programs, including the CHNV program which benefited Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
The DHS did not specify how many actions fall into each category or how many resulted in actual deportations, as an NTA is simply the start of a process and does not alone equate to removal.
Challenges for Cuban Nationals
For Cubans with pending immigration procedures, this announcement comes amidst growing pressures. The CHNV program ended in March 2025, although subsequent legal challenges have created a continually shifting legal landscape. The Cuban Family Reunification program concluded in December, yet a federal order in January 2026 blocked the early termination of granted paroles.
Adding to the complications, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that Form I-220A does not meet the parole requirements under the Cuban Adjustment Act, blocking this path to regularization for many individuals.
Naturalization statistics also reflect institutional changes. National quarterly approvals plummeted from 241,326 to 57,697, marking a 76% drop, while Miami's office saw approvals decline from 87% to 68%.
USCIS's Evolving Role
USCIS no longer functions solely as a processing agency. Since September 2025, federal regulations have empowered special agents within the USCIS to carry firearms, execute arrest warrants, and pursue criminal cases. There have been reports of arrests during biometric appointments and interviews, although ICE remains the primary agency for arrests.
The announcement of these enforcement actions coincides with a federal lawsuit filed by civil rights organizations to stop the "Unlawful Voter Initiative." This program, launched in August, reallocated hundreds of agents to investigate naturalized citizens as potential illegal voters, with Florida being one of the prioritized states. Approximately 691,000 registered voters of Cuban descent reside in Florida, and 66% of Cuban immigrants in the U.S. are naturalized citizens.
Experts advise Cubans with pending immigration matters to attend appointments with legal representation, review their documentation, and avoid unauthorized consultants.
Legal Developments and Political Moves
This Thursday, a federal court convicted five Cubans for asylum fraud and migrant smuggling. The network charged between $1,500 and $40,000 per person under the guise of a purported immigration consultancy in Tampa.
Recently, Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine proposed a review of all naturalizations since 1990. While not a formal bill, this proposal aligns with the Department of Justice's recent actions, including lawsuits announced in early October to revoke the citizenship of 40 naturalized individuals, among them two Cubans.
Key Questions About USCIS's Immigration Actions
What types of immigration enforcement actions did USCIS undertake?
USCIS's actions included terminating TPS for beneficiaries from 13 countries, denying requests for status changes or extensions, issuing NTAs, removing automatic work permit extensions, and ending specific parole programs.
How have these actions affected Cuban immigrants?
The termination of programs like CHNV and legal rulings affecting parole eligibility have significantly impacted Cubans, complicating their paths to regularization and citizenship.
What changes has USCIS undergone in its operations?
USCIS has expanded its role beyond processing, with agents now authorized to carry firearms, execute arrests, and pursue criminal cases, indicating a shift towards more direct enforcement actions.