A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate humanitarian parole for more than half a million immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—halting what she called an “unlawful action” that could have stripped them of legal status and work authorization in the United States.
In a 41-page ruling issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of the plaintiffs—immigrants from the four countries who filed suit in February with support from the Justice Action Center and Human Rights First. The lawsuit challenges the administration’s move to end previously granted parole and work authorizations without conducting individual case reviews.
“Plaintiffs were paroled into the United States by complying with the immigration processes made available to them,” wrote Talwani, an Obama appointee. “As lawful parolees, they did not have to fear arrest for being in the United States, were permitted to legally work if they received work authorization, and could apply for adjustment of status or other benefits while paroled into this country.”
Talwani emphasized that abruptly ending the plaintiffs’ parole would have caused their lawful status to lapse “in less than two weeks,” forcing them to either leave the U.S. voluntarily or face removal proceedings.
An estimated 110,240 Cubans, 211,040 Haitians, 117,330 Venezuelans, and 93,070 Nicaraguans have entered the United States under the “CHVN” parole program, according to the Miami Herald. Many of them have settled in South Florida, often under the sponsorship of relatives, and are pursuing asylum or other legal protections.
Talwani noted that the consequences of terminating their parole status are severe. “If Plaintiffs remain in the United States and await removal proceedings, they may be subject to arrest and detention, they will no longer be authorized to work legally in this country and their opportunities to seek any adjustment of status will evaporate,” she wrote. On the other hand, leaving the country voluntarily would expose them to danger in their home countries and could “moot” their legal claims.
The Trump administration, through Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, argued that terminating parole falls under the Secretary’s discretion and that individuals could apply for renewed immigration benefits during removal proceedings. But during a recent court hearing, Justice Department attorneys acknowledged that most benefits would not be renewable once individuals lost lawful status or were placed in expedited removal.
“Even if Plaintiffs can renew requests for certain benefits, some requests may very well be denied simply because Plaintiffs would no longer be in lawful status,” Talwani wrote. “Defendants are defending the FRN [Federal Register Notice], which states that the revoking of parole is designed to ensure expedited removal…while acknowledging…that Plaintiffs could not renew most immigration benefits requests if placed in expedited proceedings.”
The ruling comes amid ongoing legal battles over immigration policy, with deportation and parole programs continuing to stir national debate. Talwani’s decision offers temporary relief to immigrants affected while the court considers the broader legal arguments.
