The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data indicates that more than 50 cities in the U.S. have been the destinations for hundreds of thousands of migrants who have flown into the country via a controversial parole program for four different nationalities. The majority of these migrants have entered the U.S. through airports in Florida. Over an eight-month period from January to August 2023, around 200,000 migrants arrived in the U.S. through this program, with 80% of them landing in Florida cities such as Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa Bay. The program started with Venezuelans in October 2022, and was expanded to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans in January 2023, allowing up to 30,000 people per month to enter the country.
In response to criticism, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the program as a “safe and orderly way to reach the United States” that has actually led to a reduction in the number of migrants coming from these nationalities. By the end of February 2024, more than 400,000 nationals had arrived in the U.S. through the program. The top 15 cities migrants flew into during this period included Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New York City, Houston, Orlando, Los Angeles, Tampa, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, Newark, Washington D.C., Chicago, Las Vegas, and Austin. As of October 2023, there were approximately 1.6 million applicants waiting for DHS approval to fly to the U.S. via the program, which requires individuals to clear a “robust security vetting” and other eligibility criteria.
Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green has raised concerns that the parole program exceeds the powers granted by Congress, which are meant to be used on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. He argues that the program, which allows otherwise inadmissible aliens to fly directly into the U.S., goes against the Immigration and Nationality Act. Green has called for Secretary Mayorkas to be held accountable, referencing the House’s impeachment vote against him. Multiple states have also filed a lawsuit to block the program, claiming that it creates a new visa program allowing hundreds of thousands of aliens to enter the country without proper basis.
Despite the lawsuit being struck down by a district judge, states have appealed the decision. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has been vocal in its opposition to the program, calling it unlawful and an abuse of constitutional authority. The administration has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration to shut down the program, expressing confidence that they will ultimately prevail. DHS has maintained that individuals entering the U.S. under the program undergo a rigorous security vetting and meet other eligibility criteria, which are part of the administration’s strategy to reduce irregular migration and provide expanded lawful pathways for entry into the country.
