The Trump administration has expressed strong disapproval of a recent court ruling that sustains the humanitarian parole program initiated by President Joe Biden's government. The administration has labeled the decision as an impediment to justice and a risk to national security.
In a statement released on Tuesday via the social media platform X, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Republican leadership, accused Biden's immigration policy of having "released more than 530,000 inadequately vetted foreigners into the United States." The statement claims this situation has exacerbated crime, displaced American workers, and forced immigration officers to "overlook rampant fraud."
"While this ruling delays justice and undermines the integrity of our immigration system, Secretary Noem will utilize all available legal options within the Department to end this chaos, prioritizing the safety of Americans," the official DHS statement concluded.
Legal Battle Over Humanitarian Parole
These remarks follow a federal judge's decision in the United States that represents a significant setback to the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the humanitarian parole program. This immigration policy has benefitted over 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
As previously announced last week, Judge Indira Talwani, appointed by former President Barack Obama, accepted an emergency motion that temporarily halts the mass revocation of permits granted under this program. She argued that the government’s decision lacked the required case-by-case review mandated by law.
Judge Talwani voiced serious concerns that the Trump administration sought to terminate the program without individually assessing each beneficiary's circumstances. "The Court finds that the plaintiffs have standing to challenge the reduction in their participation in the program," Talwani wrote in her judicial order, highlighting that these immigrants have the right to legally work if authorized and can also seek status adjustments or other benefits.
Implications of the Court's Decision
The judge noted that if the program were to be eliminated without these guarantees, affected individuals would face a distressing dilemma: "Comply with the law and leave the country voluntarily, or await expulsion proceedings."
This court decision comes after the U.S. DHS announced in March its intent to terminate the humanitarian parole programs for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, alongside their immediate relatives. These programs allowed temporary entry of migrants for humanitarian or significant public interest reasons.
The decision aligns with Executive Order 14165 issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, which mandates securing the border and ending categorical parole programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Humanitarian Parole in the U.S.
What is the humanitarian parole program?
The humanitarian parole program allows temporary entry of migrants into the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public interest.
Why did the Trump administration oppose the court ruling?
The Trump administration opposed the ruling because it believes the decision undermines justice and national security by allowing inadequately vetted individuals to remain in the U.S.
Who benefits from the humanitarian parole program?
The program benefits immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, along with their immediate family members.