A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking the legal status and work permits of more than 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who entered the United States during former President Joe Biden’s time in office. These migrants came to the U.S. under Biden’s controversial CHNV mass humanitarian parole program. Judge Indira Talwani ordered that each migrant must have an individualized, case-by-case review before their legal status and work permits can be revoked. The termination of the parole processes for these migrants has been stayed pending further court order, to ensure that each case is reviewed on an individual basis.
Biden created the CHNV program in 2023 using his executive parole authority, with the aim of reducing illegal crossings at the southern border and enhancing vetting procedures for those entering the country. Initially applied to Venezuelans, the program was later expanded to include migrants from Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua as well. The program was temporarily paused due to widespread fraud and instances of high-profile crimes among recipients, such as multiple child rapes. Under CHNV, migrants and their immediate family members could enter the U.S. with American sponsors and stay for two years under temporary immigration status known as parole.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration argued that Judge Talwani’s ruling essentially prevents Trump from using his own executive authority to revoke the parole granted by Biden. Trump administration officials characterized this ruling as “pure lawless tyranny.” In March, the migrants under the CHNV program were given notice to leave the U.S. before their humanitarian parole and work permits were set to be canceled on April 24. This notice was formally published on March 25, giving the migrants a month to make arrangements.
The legal battle over the CHNV program is part of the ongoing controversy surrounding immigration policies and border security in the United States. The Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the parole and work permits of the migrants admitted under Biden’s program has now been halted by the court order. The court requires each case to be reviewed individually before any revocations can take place. The program was initially created to address issues related to illegal crossings and vetting procedures, but it faced challenges due to fraud and criminal activities among some recipients.
The Biden administration’s expansion of the CHNV program was aimed at providing pathways to legal status for migrants from a range of countries, but it faced criticism and legal challenges. The Trump administration’s efforts to revoke the parole of the migrants admitted under this program have been temporarily thwarted by the court ruling. The ruling reflects the complex legal and policy issues surrounding immigration and border security in the United States. The future of the CHNV program and the status of the migrants affected by it remain uncertain as legal proceedings continue.
