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Topline
A federal judge issued a temporary injunction on Monday, halting the Trump administration’s efforts to rescind the legal protections for over half a million immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This ruling represents a significant legal setback for the administration’s aggressive immigration policies.
An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits … More Federal Building in New York City.
Key Facts
Indira Talwani, a federal judge in Massachusetts, temporarily paused the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) directive aimed at abolishing the legal status of individuals enrolled in the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) parole program.
In her decision, Judge Talwani emphasized that the DHS secretary lacked the authority to enact such a broad termination of the parole program, asserting that each case must be evaluated on its own merits.
The ruling indicated that abruptly revoking the legal status of compliant noncitizens who followed DHS protocols and legally entered the U.S. would undermine the principle of law.
According to the judge, if the parole program were to be dismantled, affected individuals would face distressing choices: either return to potentially perilous conditions in their home countries or risk arrest and detention in the U.S.
Furthermore, the ruling highlighted the potential for severe family separations should individuals be forced to leave the U.S.
What Do We Know About The CHNV Program?
The CHNV program was initiated by the Biden administration in 2022, initially focusing only on Venezuelan migrants. In 2023, it was expanded to include Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan nationals, leading to the admission of over half a million individuals by the end of 2024. To qualify for the special parole status, migrants were required to secure financial sponsorship and pass security assessments. Those granted parole were allowed to reside and work lawfully in the U.S. for a period of two years.
Crucial Quote
“Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors will go to sleep tonight knowing that the Trump administration’s attempts to delegitimize and criminalize our communities have been thwarted, for now. This win is a testament to the power and dedication of our communities,” stated Guerline Jozef, Executive Director and Founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, one of the plaintiffs involved in the case, said.
Source
www.forbes.com