Federal Judge Allows Biden Administration to Continue Humanitarian Parole Program for Citizens of Troubled Countries
In a significant ruling on Friday, a federal judge has allowed the Biden administration to continue a program that grants temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The program, known as humanitarian parole, has been a key element of the administration’s strategy to address the influx of migrants at the U.S. southern border.
The decision comes after Texas and other Republican-led states sued the administration to block the program, arguing that it burdened them with additional costs for health care, education, and law enforcement. However, Judge Drew B. Tipton of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas sided with the administration, stating that the states had failed to prove they were harmed by the program.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the program’s importance in addressing migration challenges in the hemisphere. The judge noted that the number of nationals from the designated countries entering the U.S. had significantly decreased since the program’s implementation, undermining the states’ claims of harm.
The lawsuit, filed by Texas on behalf of 21 states, was the first to challenge the president’s immigration parole authority in federal court. The program allows approved individuals to live and work in the U.S. for a two-year period with a financial sponsor’s support. Nearly 360,000 people had been approved for the program as of January, with sponsorship typically coming from relatives or community organizations.
Legal experts anticipate that Texas will appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, with the possibility of the case reaching the Supreme Court. The ruling is seen as a victory for the Biden administration and a validation of its approach to immigration policy.
The use of humanitarian parole authority has a long history, dating back to the admission of Cubans in the 1960s and Southeast Asians after the Vietnam War. The Biden administration has also implemented similar programs for Ukrainians, Venezuelans, and other nationalities, aiming to provide a legal pathway for individuals to apply from their home countries and deter illegal border crossings.
Supporters of the program, like Nan Langowitz, who has sponsored Venezuelan families and assisted refugees from Afghanistan and Syria, welcomed the court’s decision. Langowitz expressed her excitement about continuing to welcome newcomers who can contribute to the country, highlighting the positive impact of the humanitarian parole program.
