Federal judge temporarily blocks order to end humanitarian parole for Haitians living in US

BOSTON – At a Boston courthouse yesterday, Federal Judge Indira Talwani announced she is temporarily halting the Trump administration from “pulling the rug out from under” 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who entered the United States legally under Biden’s Humanitarian Parole program. 

Last month, the Trump administration announced its plans to terminate the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) program – known widely in the Haitian community as the “Biden parole program” –  effective April 24. The decision would leave these immigrants in an extremely precarious position, as many were promised a longer stay in the U.S. but have not yet secured another form of legal status, which is often a long and arduous process.

For many Haitians, returning home is not an option due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis fueled by gang violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. However, under the Trump administration’s plan, those who remain in the U.S. past April 24 would risk deportation and could be barred from legally returning.

Talwani said Thursday she will issue a stay on the decision, potentially giving thousands of immigrants additional time.

When the hearing concluded, prominent Haitian activist Guerline Jozef turned to the packed courtroom and pumped her fist, mouthing the word “yes.”

Jozef is the founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit organization and one of the plaintiffs suing the administration in the case. “We know that this is a long fight,” she said. “But at least for this moment, we hope that our people will be safe.”

Talwani clashed multiple times during the hearing with Brian Ward, the attorney representing the Trump administration. She said that if the parole program ends April 24, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans would essentially be “punished for following the rules.”

Ward pushed back, arguing that individuals could apply for other forms of legal status and would not be prioritized for immediate deportation.

Talwani countered that obtaining legal status can take years and, in the meantime, the 500,000 immigrants affected could be arrested and potentially deported if involved in something as routine as a car crash or a hospital visit.

“There was a deal,” Talwani said. “Now that deal has been undercut.”

Justin Cox, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said during the hearing that the administration is “manufacturing removability.” He noted that, historically, the government has revoked parole on a case-by-case basis. Cox called the cancellation of parole for an entire group of people “completely unprecedented,” a sentiment Judge Talwani shared.

“We feel pretty good about how today went,” Cox said. “We’ve been really impressed with how prepared [Judge Talwani] has been and how engaged she is on the issues.”

Looking ahead, Cox said the Trump administration is likely to appeal the judge’s decision, and the case could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

In the meantime, the fight continues. Several Haitian community leaders addressed reporters during a press conference after the hearing, including Boston City Councilwoman Ruthzee Louijeune — the first Haitian American elected to Boston’s municipal government.

Louijeune said she was “incredibly heartened by the turnout” and emphasized the need for the community to support legal immigrants who are “working, going to school” and “becoming part of the fabric of our neighborhood, our city and our country.”

Arthur Almeda, founder of the Boston Missionary Baptist Community Center — an organization that provides food and shelter to Haitian migrants — echoed her remarks in a statement to The Haitian Times.

He underscored the importance of the humanitarian parole program, particularly the work permits it provides. “People have bills. They have to make money and make a living,” Almeda said. “Without a work permit, you cannot do anything.”

Jozef concluded her remarks at the press conference by urging Americans to act with moral clarity: “We must make sure that we stand on the right side of history.”

She later told The Haitian Times she is “really calling on non-immigrant citizens across the U.S. to understand and value the dignity of life.”

“This is the time for America to stand up and do what is right,” she said.

Talwani did not indicate when she will issue her official ruling.

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