This program, known as the CHNV parole program, allowed more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States legally and obtain work authorization.
Key Points of the Decision
- Temporary Block on Program Termination: Judge Talwani’s order prevents the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from revoking the legal status and work permits of migrants who entered under the CHNV program, which was set to expire on April 24, 2025.
- Requirement for Case-by-Case Review: The judge ruled that the administration cannot revoke parole and work authorization en masse; instead, each migrant’s case must be reviewed individually before any status is revoked.
- Rationale: In her written decision, Judge Talwani stated that allowing the program to end as planned would force migrants to choose between two harmful options: voluntarily leaving the U.S. and facing potential danger in their home countries, or remaining and risking deportation proceedings. She described this as a “Hobson’s choice” and criticized the government for targeting individuals who had followed legal procedures to enter the country.
- Legal Reasoning: Talwani found that the administration’s rationale for ending the program was based on a flawed interpretation of the law and lacked a reasoned explanation. She emphasized that the government’s abrupt reversal undermined the commitments made to these migrants.
Implications
- Protection for Migrants: The ruling allows CHNV parolees to remain in the U.S. with their current legal status and work permits while the case proceeds, averting immediate deportation or loss of status for over half a million people.
- Ongoing Litigation: The decision is a temporary stay, meaning the legal battle over the future of the CHNV program will continue in federal court.
- Advocacy Response: Immigrant advocates hailed the decision as a major victory, arguing it upholds the principle of welcoming those who have complied with U.S. law and government requirements1.
Judge Talwani’s Comments
Judge Talwani was critical of the administration’s approach, questioning why the government sought to revoke status for an entire group rather than on a case-by-case basis, as has been the norm. She also expressed concern that the government’s actions would render law-abiding migrants undocumented and at risk of immediate arrest and deportation.
“If their parole status is permitted to expire, the Plaintiffs will confront two unfavorable choices: either comply with the law and voluntarily depart the country, or wait for removal proceedings. Should they choose to leave voluntarily, they will encounter hazards in their home countries, as indicated in their affidavits.”
Conclusion
Judge Indira Talwani’s decision on April 14, 2025, temporarily blocks the Trump administration from mass-revoking the legal status and work permits of over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The ruling requires individualized review for any status revocation and preserves the legal protections for these migrants while the case continues in court.