The Department of Homeland Security says it will restart the issuance of Advance Travel Authorizations (ATAs) for the Humanitarian Parole Program to Haiti, which had been temporarily suspended several weeks earlier over fraud concerns.
In a statement, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, said other nationals to benefit as a result, will be those from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela who apply to come to the United States with the help of a sponsor.
The program had been paused in July after an internal report found that more than 100,000 applicants for the program were supported by just over 3,200 US-based sponsors and described as “serial sponsors”.
Those applications were red-flagged for potential fraud amid concerns that the large numbers of migrants sponsored by just a few individuals could point to human trafficking.
The review found “a very small number of supporters were found to have fraud or criminal issues warranting referral to law enforcement.”
“The internal review analyzed a number of criteria and trends to assess possible indicators of fraud or ineligibilities related to U.S.-based sponsors,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “In the majority of cases, these indicators were ultimately found to have a reasonable explanation and resolved. For example, a supporter had entered a typographic error when submitting their information online.”
As part of an internal review, DHS has implemented updated safeguards to the processes. Applicants have been told that they should continue to monitor their myUSCIS account for updated information regarding their ATAs. Individuals with a valid, unexpired ATA are permitted to travel.
“DHS is committed to holding accountable those who commit fraud or attempt to exploit others for financial gain. Anyone found to have committed fraud or other abuse will be referred to law enforcement for possible prosecution,” a department spokesperson said.
Sponsors must now show they can financially support the number of immigrants they are sponsoring and “serial filers who do not meet these qualifications or otherwise appear to be exploiting or abusing the process will be non-confirmed”.
The DHS spokesperson said that all migrants who have been admitted to the US under the program so far have been thoroughly screened and vetted, and that DHS has not identified issues of concern relating to the screening and vetting of program beneficiaries.
