Judge in the U.S. Halts Attempt to Eliminate Humanitarian Parole Legal Status for Latin American Migrants
A federal judge in the United States announced that she will block the Trump administration’s decision to cancel the Humanitarian Parole granted to hundreds of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The measure aimed to terminate the temporary legal status of these individuals as of April 24, 2025.
Judge Indira Talwani, of the U.S. District Court in Boston, ruled that the legal interpretation used by the Department of Homeland Security to revoke the parole was based on a misreading of the law. She argued that the provisions cited by the government are designed for the expedited removal of people who enter the country unlawfully—not for those admitted under an authorized temporary permit such as parole.
Also Read: “TPS for Venezuelans in the U.S.: Official Extension and Everything You Need to Know”
Had the measure been applied, approximately 450,000 migrants would have lost their current legal status in the United States. The judge questioned why the action was directed not at unauthorized entrants, but at those who followed the established procedures. “What is being prioritized is not the people who cross the border, but the people who follow the rules,” Talwani stated during the hearing.
The lawsuit was filed by immigrant rights organizations, including the Justice Action Center, which sought to stop what they consider a massive and unjustified termination of the program. According to Laura Flores-Perilla, an attorney for the plaintiff group, Humanitarian Parole has been essential in providing protection to people fleeing violence or persecution, allowing them to build a temporarily stable life in the U.S.
During the hearing, the Department of Justice defended the administration’s position, claiming that the program is discretionary and does not require individual revocations. However, Judge Talwani expressed doubts about the logic of this argument and indicated that she will work to issue an order urgently suspending the implementation of the notice published in the Federal Register.
The judge also clarified that her decision will not require the reopening of the programs to new applicants, as her intervention is limited to the legal analysis of the measures taken, without interfering in political or administrative decisions.
Parole was implemented by President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022, initially for Venezuelan nationals, and later expanded in 2023 to include people from Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua. These programs aim to offer a legal and controlled entry pathway for people from countries with high levels of instability or humanitarian need.
So far, neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the Department of Justice has issued official comments following the hearing. Judge Talwani’s final ruling is expected in the coming days.
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