As anxiety spreads over DHS letters to sponsors, the real threat lies in a relentless push to purge immigrants from U.S. soil.
Immigration | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | July 8, 2025 Keywords: Haitian diaspora, Biden parole program, DHS policies, deportation crisis, Trump immigration agenda
A wave of panic has rippled through Haitian communities in the U.S. after comments by Mayor Alix Desulme of North Miami, who cautioned Haitians—especially those who had applied under the Biden-era humanitarian parole program (CHNV)—about potential consequences. For many, helping a struggling family member in Haiti by submitting a CHNV application felt like a legal, compassionate act. Now, it is unfathomable that such well-intentioned actions, carried out within a lawful framework, could come back to haunt them so severely.
The CHNV program—formally known as the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan parole program—was launched by the Biden administration in early 2023. It allowed up to 30,000 people from these four countries each month to apply for humanitarian entry into the U.S., provided they had a financial sponsor in the country. For Haitians, it was seen as a lifeline to escape gang violence, poverty, and instability. Sponsors agreed to financially support the newcomers for two years while they applied for work authorization and tried to establish a stable footing.
According to Mayor Desulme, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may soon send letters to sponsors, warning them to ensure those they sponsored return to Haiti or risk severe penalties, including revocation of citizenship or green cards.
But how much of this is true? And how much reflects the broader strategy of the Trump administration to push out immigrants at all costs?
Sorting Fact From Fear
There is no official confirmation from DHS or credible news outlets that sponsors are facing denaturalization or loss of permanent residency. What has been confirmed is the termination of parole for hundreds of thousands of migrants under the CHNV program and the encouragement for self-deportation through incentives like the controversial $1,000 stipend.
This is no accident—it’s a masterstroke of psychological pressure. By shifting the burden onto sponsors, the administration is turning acts of compassion into potential traps. Sponsors are now being positioned as unwilling enforcers, responsible for persuading CHNV beneficiaries to leave the U.S. voluntarily. And with their own legal status—whether naturalized citizen or green card holder—hanging in the balance, the strategy creates fear that spreads far beyond the original targets. It’s deportation by proxy, executed with ruthless efficiency.
We cannot underestimate the Trump administration’s determination. Every move appears designed to test the limits of fear and compliance within immigrant communities. This is not just about policy—it’s about power.
“All efforts are being made by the Trump administration to push out as many immigrants as possible by all means possible,” says immigration attorney Carla Desruisseaux. “This climate of fear isn’t accidental—it’s part of a strategy to force people to leave voluntarily and discourage future immigration.”
While sponsors themselves do not appear to be directly under threat (at least for now), the aggressive tone of DHS communications has left many unsure of their legal exposure.
A Relentless Push Against Immigrants
The Trump administration has made no secret of its hardline approach. From reinstating mass deportations to encouraging detention centers in remote areas, the campaign aims to remove undocumented and legally vulnerable migrants swiftly and decisively.
*“The playbook is clear: intimidate, isolate, and eliminate immigrant communities,” warns community organizer Jean-Claude Mercier. “Whether through ICE raids or the chilling effect of unverified threats, they’re creating a climate where even those with status feel unsafe.”
This strategy particularly affects Haitians, who already face disproportionate deportation rates and often struggle with limited legal resources.
Building Resilience Amid Fear
For Haitians and other diaspora communities, the challenge now is twofold: resist misinformation and prepare for real policy shifts.
*“This is a wake-up call for every sponsor,” warns diaspora activist Marie-Lourdes Jean. “What felt like an act of compassion could now have unforeseen consequences. Sponsors must stay alert, informed, and ready to protect themselves legally and financially.”
The Biden-era parole program once offered hope to thousands. Today, its rollback under Trump is a sobering reminder that immigrants remain at the mercy of shifting political winds.
As rumors swirl and fear takes root, the Haitian community must stay vigilant, informed, and organized. The stakes could not be higher.
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