Judge halts Trump's bid to curtail Biden-era parole for migrant groups

 May 29, 2025

A U.S. federal judge has recently curbed President Donald Trump's attempts to end a Biden-era immigration initiative that impacts many individuals from Afghanistan, Latin America, and Ukraine.

With this ruling, Judge Indira Talwani has ordered the continuation of application processing for work permits and status renewals, halting the Trump administration's efforts to discontinue these programs, as Fox News reports.

In Massachusetts, Judge Indira Talwani, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, played a pivotal role in ruling on the immigration case.

She emphasized the humanitarian relevance of the parole programs established during the Biden administration.

These programs permitted migrants, often with familial connections to the U.S. military, to enter the country accompanied by their families with the support of sponsors.

Judicial order provides temporary halt

On Wednesday, Talwani instructed the Trump administration to formally continue the processing of applications from migrants seeking either work permits or renewals of their immigration status.

This move serves as temporary protection for those currently involved in these humanitarian initiatives while legal proceedings continue.

The Trump administration asserted its prerogative to terminate these initiatives under the guise of immigration policy discretion; however, Talwani dismissed this argument.

She highlighted that federal law necessitates a specific protocol for agencies, particularly those under the Department of Homeland Security, when elected to grant or deny the provisions of parole.

Talwani underscored the significance of maintaining these protections, pointing out potential negative repercussions if such safeguards were to be removed.

Details of parole programs emerge

Migrants who contributed as translators alongside the U.S. military were paroled under these Biden-era programs. Many of these individuals joined the military with hopes of assisting their loved ones in securing lawful status, shedding light on the personal stakes involved.

Advocates are working to ensure that hundreds of thousands of individuals are not inadvertently rendered unlawfully present within U.S. borders. The potential inability to work legally and provide for their families sparked concern among impacted groups, as noted by Judge Talwani.

Anwen Hughes from Human Rights First reflected on the ruling's impact, praising the court’s decision as affirming the government's legal obligation to honor the rights of humanitarian parole recipients. Hughes echoed the importance of immediately recommencing the adjudication of applications for those seeking relief.

Legal challenges continue

President Trump took significant steps towards dismantling all Biden-era parole initiatives via an executive order dated Jan. 20. However, legal roadblocks have thus far stalled these plans.

In her recent ruling, Judge Talwani previously blocked an attempt by Trump's administration to revoke parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela without case-by-case consideration.

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking the intervention of the U.S. Supreme Court on this pressing matter. This legal development demonstrates the contentious and ongoing battle over immigration policy and the implementation of executive authority in this realm.

The broader implication of these events extends to both the United States and international communities. Individuals affected by these decisions highlight the complexity of balancing national policy considerations with the humanitarian efforts inherent in these programs.

With legal proceedings in flux, the ongoing litigation around these immigration issues will likely capture significant national and global attention as it unfolds. Stakeholders across sectors will be closely watching for how these court decisions influence future immigration policy and practice.

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