Good news for recipients of the Biden humanitarian parole programs. Federal Judge Indira Talwani has once again ruled in their favor.
In a decision issued last Monday in the case Svitlana Doe v. Noem, the judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately resume the processing of adjustment of status applications and other immigration benefits—such as work permits—filed by recipients of humanitarian parole programs, commonly referred to as the “Biden program.”
In the same ruling, the court also certified a nationwide class action to ensure that hundreds of thousands of affected individuals are covered by the decision.
The measure notably applies to beneficiaries of the program for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV). The ruling also covers Uniting for Ukraine, Operation Allies Welcome, Central American Minors Parole, Family Reunification Parole, and Military Parole-in-Place.
“Our clients are coworkers, life partners, and full members of our communities. They deserve to be treated fairly,” said Karen Tumlin, Director of the Justice Action Center, one of the plaintiffs in the case, in a statement released Wednesday.
The judge had already blocked, last April, the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the legal status and work permits of thousands of CHNV parole beneficiaries. This new decision not only reaffirms protection for those individuals, but also extends it to those enrolled in other humanitarian parole programs, according to the Haitian Bridge Alliance, one of the organizations behind the legal challenge.
Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, welcomed the ruling: “Whether you’re from Ukraine or Haiti, Afghanistan or Nicaragua, anyone granted humanitarian parole should be able to live peacefully with their families.” She urged the government to immediately resume processing stalled applications.
The court’s decision also applies to the relatives of U.S. military personnel who have submitted initial or renewal requests under the Military Parole-in-Place program. Judge Talwani emphasized that these applications must be adjudicated without delay.
Anwen Hughes, Director of Legal Strategy for Refugee Programs at Human Rights First, also applauded the decision: “The court clearly recognizes the harm caused by the government’s arbitrary decision. We hope the authorities will comply with this ruling and resume processing these cases.”
The lawsuit was brought by the Justice Action Center and Human Rights First, with the support of Haitian Bridge Alliance, to challenge the Trump administration’s order to USCIS to suspend all pending applications under these humanitarian parole processes.
The goal was also to prevent the termination of these programs, which are considered vital for thousands of families.
These humanitarian programs, established over the past 70 years by successive U.S. administrations—both Republican and Democratic—are designed to promote family reunification, respond to urgent humanitarian crises, and help manage migration flows.
“This decision shows that when we fight together, we can win,” emphasized Guerline Jozef, highlighting the importance of solidarity among communities impacted by immigration policies.
The Massachusetts court ruling marks a significant step forward for the rights of migrants in humanitarian situations in the United States.
For several months, the Trump administration had halted the processing of applications submitted by humanitarian parole recipients, claiming an investigation was underway to uncover potential fraud. Since then, thousands of applicants have been anxiously awaiting the resumption of their cases for other benefits, including asylum and other forms of status adjustment.
