Move to End Temporary Legal Status for Hundreds of Thousands of Migrants
A federal appeals court has recently denied the Trump Administration’s request to proceed with revoking temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants. This decision has significant implications for humanitarian policy. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending a two-year humanitarian parole program.
The program, often referred to as the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) parole program, allowed individuals who had a U.S.-based sponsor and passed a background check to enter the country legally. They also received temporary work authorization. The Biden administration implemented this policy as part of a broader “carrot-and-stick” approach to immigration. The aim was to reduce irregular migration at the U.S.-Mexico border by offering a safe, lawful alternative for entry. In return, migrants who attempted to cross the border without authorization from these countries were subject to immediate expulsion.
The Trump Administration sought to terminate this program, arguing that it was an overreach of executive authority. They claimed the administration had the right to revoke such grants of parole. However, the appeals court’s decision affirms that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as an agency, cannot terminate an entire class of parolees in this manner without a specific legal basis. The court’s action provides a temporary reprieve for the affected migrants. This ruling underscores the ongoing legal battles and policy shifts surrounding immigration in the United States. It highlights the deep divisions over how to manage humanitarian crises and border security.
