A federal judge in Boston indicated this Friday that she intends to temporarily block President Donald Trump's administration from ending the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program. This program provides legal protection to over 10,000 family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Judge Indira Talwani announced during a Boston hearing that she plans to issue an order on Monday, without specifying the exact timing, as reported by Telemundo 51.
The individuals benefiting from this program are from countries such as Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras. Many fear losing this protection on January 14, following the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to terminate it late last year.
"This is not the parole program for Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti. We are discussing the family reunification parole. This family reunification parole was included in this lawsuit, which originally concerned Biden's parole, and the judge just stated she will prevent President Trump from removing this status from people," explained journalist Mario J. Pentón.
The case was initiated by five plaintiffs, but their attorneys aim for the ruling to cover all participants in the program.
"The government, after inviting people to apply, is now placing obstacles between them and obtaining a green card," stated Justin Cox, an attorney with the Justice Action Center.
In their motion, the plaintiffs argued that while the status was temporary, they did not come "temporarily" but to start a new life in the United States. They pointed out that since their arrival, they obtained work permits and enrolled their children in schools.
The plaintiffs' lawyer described the U.S. government's actions as outrageous, noting that 30% of the affected migrants are children, many of whom risk being expelled from schools.
During the hearing, the government argued that the DHS has broad discretion to rescind these paroles.
The DHS defended the program's termination as part of its immigration and security policy, aligned with the Trump administration's efforts to roll back parole programs initiated during the Biden era.
The Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program (CFRP), established in 2007 under the administration of George W. Bush, allowed U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to request temporary stay (parole) for their relatives in Cuba, facilitating their expedited entry into the United States.
This initiative enabled family members with approved petitions to enter the U.S. before their visas became available and, for Cubans, eventually qualify under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Reunification Parole
What is the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program?
The Family Reunification Parole program allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for temporary legal protection for their family members from specific countries, facilitating their expedited entry into the United States.
Which countries are participants in the FRP program?
The FRP program includes beneficiaries from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras.
Why is the Trump administration trying to terminate the FRP program?
The administration argues that ending the FRP program aligns with its immigration and security policies and aims to reverse parole programs established during previous administrations.