The Biden administration is gearing up to restart a program designed to help migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela apply for entry and temporary work authorization in the U.S., even as concerns about widespread fraud within the program persist. This program, which was launched last year, allows eligible migrants to apply for entry and work authorization through a sponsor who is legally residing in the U.S. However, after a review of sponsor applications, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discovered that thousands of applications appear to be fraudulent.
Despite this alarming finding, the Biden administration is planning to relaunch the program as early as this week. The rationale behind this decision stems from the belief that the program’s availability serves as a deterrent to illegal border crossings from these four countries. The administration hopes that by providing a legal pathway for migration, it can discourage individuals from attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.
The DHS review, conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), revealed a concerning pattern of fraudulent applications. The review uncovered instances where individuals used the same address, IP addresses, or phone numbers on multiple applications. Notably, one instance flagged almost 600 applications associated with a commercial warehouse in Orlando, Florida, suggesting potential abuse of the system. The review also identified cases where the same Social Security numbers were repeatedly used, including those belonging to deceased individuals.
The decision to revive the program comes despite the ongoing review of approximately 30,000 applications submitted before the program was paused. While the review is underway, it is unlikely that all applications will be processed before the program is reinstated.
To address these concerns, the administration plans to implement a revised vetting process for sponsors, subjecting them to a more rigorous review in smaller batches. Any sponsor suspected of engaging in fraudulent activity will be referred for investigation. This move reflects a cautious approach to balancing the need to provide a legal pathway for migration while safeguarding against the potential for exploitation and fraud.
