Recently, Cuba in Miami has had access to the internal memorandum ordering the suspension of all permanent residency processes for those who have entered the United States under parole programs. This memorandum particularly affects beneficiaries of the humanitarian parole program, family reunification programs, and a special program for Ukrainians.
Details of the Memorandum
The document, issued by Andrew Davidson, acting director of USCIS, was dated February 14, 2025. This memo was sent to several executives within the agency, authorizing an administrative halt to all pending benefits for foreign nationals who have obtained parole. The main reason behind this suspension is the need to investigate cases of fraud within these programs.
Fraud Investigations
The memo indicates that USCIS has found evidence of widespread fraud, such as the use of nonexistent Social Security numbers and false addresses. In some cases, the humanitarian reasons presented in the applications were identical, suggesting they were not genuine. Additionally, thousands of applications were discovered with the same address in Florida, which could indicate human trafficking operations.
Impact on Residency Processes
This suspension has no set end date and remains in place indefinitely until a thorough review is completed. The investigation focuses on identifying fraud and threats to public and national security, which put many residency applicants at risk.
To see the Memo you can see it here:
Recommendations and Review Possibilities
The memo suggests that, although the suspension is general, USCIS reserves the right to review cases individually. This means that some beneficiaries may see their applications approved depending on their particular situation and whether there are legal claims that could impact the process.
Reactions and Conclusions
The revelation of this memo has generated skepticism among many who doubted its existence. However, the document's publication has confirmed concerns about the current state of immigration processes. This comes on top of the recent extension of the suspension to people who entered under refugee programs or who have pending asylum applications.
Attorney Claudia Cañizares, who facilitated access to this memorandum, has been instrumental in disseminating this information. Cuba in Miami will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as events develop.
