U.S. Revives Migrant Sponsorship Program with Enhanced Vetting to Combat Fraud

The Biden administration is set to relaunch its migrant sponsorship program after pausing it earlier this summer due to concerns about fraud. Originally established in late 2022 and expanded in early 2023, the program was designed to provide a legal pathway for up to 30,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. each month, given they have U.S.-based sponsors.

The initiative, alongside Mexico’s agreement to take back citizens from these four countries who cross the U.S. border illegally, significantly reduced unlawful crossings. However, the program was halted in July following suspicions that some sponsors were submitting fraudulent applications.

After a thorough review, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reinstating the program with a more stringent vetting process. Potential sponsors must now submit fingerprints and will face closer scrutiny of their financial and criminal histories. Additionally, the DHS will increase oversight of those who repeatedly apply to sponsor migrants.

According to DHS spokesperson Naree Ketudat, these new procedures aim to ensure the integrity of the program as it resumes issuing new Advance Travel Authorizations. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with other legal immigration statuses are eligible to sponsor migrants. While the fraud concerns primarily involved the sponsors, all migrants must also pass a security screening before traveling to the U.S.

An initial investigation revealed that most suspicious cases had reasonable explanations, such as filing errors. However, some instances of fraud were uncovered, including the use of fake Social Security numbers by prospective sponsors. A few cases have been referred to law enforcement for further action.

Known as the CHNV policy, the program has been central to the Biden administration’s strategy to curb illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. Since its inception, over half a million migrants have arrived in the U.S. legally through this initiative. Despite legal challenges from Republican-led states, the policy has been upheld, with the courts finding insufficient evidence of harm caused by the program.

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