Naydin Hernandez, standing by Havana’s iconic Malecon boulevard, prayed with tears in her eyes after her hopes of reuniting with her daughter in the United States were shattered. Her 21-year-old daughter had moved to the U.S. under the parole program introduced by former President Joe Biden, which allowed migrants with a sponsor to temporarily live and work in America.

However, on Friday, President Donald Trump’s administration announced the end of this program, revoking the temporary legal status of 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. A draft Federal Register notice labeled the program ineffective and beyond legal limits.

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Hopes Dashed for Thousands

The announcement has left many Cubans in distress, as they have long relied on U.S. policies favoring their migration. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 700,000 Cubans entered the U.S. during Biden’s presidency. However, with many programs frozen by Trump and placed under review in February, hopes for a path to citizenship have been put on hold.

Cuban Leaders React

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the U.S. move, calling it an “act of cruel cynicism.” Havana resident Dario Mendez, a 20-year-old engineering student, expressed concern for those who sacrificed everything to migrate. “Just when they thought they were getting ahead, they are told to go back,” he lamented.

Political Response in Florida

In south Florida, home to a large Cuban American community, fears of deportation have surged. Republican U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar urged the Trump administration to reconsider, blaming Biden for leaving migrants in limbo. “Trump should recognize this reality and not punish them for Biden’s errors,” she stated on X.

Uncertain Future

The fate of thousands remains uncertain as any increase in deportations to Cuba would require discussions with the Cuban government under long-standing agreements. The White House has yet to respond to these concerns.