Immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who entered the US through a “parole program” must leave the country when their two-year permits expire if they do not secure another legal way to stay, the Biden administration announced on Friday.

According to the Washington Post, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the program, introduced during President Joe Biden’s term, aimed to reduce illegal border crossings.

The Initiative allowed people from these nations to apply for parole and enter the US legally on commercial flights. Officials say the effort has been successful, with illegal crossings dropping 99% since it began in 2022 for Venezuelans and 2023 for the other nationals.

“This two-year period was intended to enable individuals to seek humanitarian relief or other immigration benefits for which they may be eligible, and to work and contribute to the United States,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

Anyone who has not applied for asylum or another status “will need to depart the United States prior to the expiration of their authorized parole period or may be placed in removal proceedings after the period of parole expires,” the department said.

An official familiar with the program told the daily that only a small percentage of participants are likely at risk of losing their parole status after two years. If referred for deportation, these people could face years of delays in the heavily backlogged US immigration courts.

Despite the upcoming expiration deadlines, the parole program will continue to admit up to 30,000 new applicants per month, according to officials. (Anadolu Agency: Text, Excluding Headline)