WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is empowering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to quickly deport immigrants who entered the country legally under Biden-era programs, according to an internal administration memo The New York Times obtained.
ICE officials now can expel migrants who entered through the CBP One app or humanitarian parole, among others. At minimum, the group comprises about 1.4 million immigrants who entered since the beginning of 2023, and experts worry it could be used against Afghans and Ukrainians.
“These immigrants followed the rules and obtained authorization to be in the country temporarily. It is unfair and inhumane to use their cooperation against them so they can be deported without notice, even as the administration scales back these programs going forward,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum.
“The effects are particularly stark if this applies to Afghan allies who fought the Taliban alongside us, and Ukrainians whose country remains under attack.
“People who followed the rules should not be the focus of deportation efforts, as Americans, including Republicans, clearly agree. Moving forward, we need Democrats and Republicans in Congress to provide certainty on these types of programs — and for recipients, their employers and their schools.”