ORLANDO, Fla. — The Department of Homeland Security is ending the humanitarian parole program that benefits nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, according to a federal register document.

The Biden administration first launched this program in 2022 to discourage people from these countries from traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Spectrum News sat down with an immigration attorney who explains what those who came to the U.S. should do now, before the program ends on April 24.

“People who entered on this program, you know, need to seek legal counsel immediately,” board-certified immigration expert Frank Symphorien-Saavedra said.

The program gave two-year permits to people who had a financial sponsor to live and work in the U.S. legally.

Symphorien-Saavedra says this decision could impact thousands of people in the country.   

“It's important to understand the crisis that it is all came from. (…) Venezuela is going through one of the most severe economic crises, humanitarian crises and political crises the world has ever seen,” he said.

According to data from DHS, more than 532,000 people have arrived in the U.S. under this program. 

The document posted on Friday by DHS offers information on the implications of terminating this program.

“Parolees without a lawful basis to remain in the United States following this termination of the CHNV parole programs must depart the United States before their parole termination date,” it stated.

Symphorien-Saavedra explained some ways people could adjust their status.

“In immigration, you know, you're going to have options based on humanitarian reasons, based on family reasons or based on employment options (…) So, if you have a significant skill set in any area, you know, you want to consider those options through employment, through investment, through family, or obviously the humanitarian options as well, such as asylum,” he said.

According to the document, the program is set to end on April 24.