Federal court halts move to end parole for family reunification migrants

The Hindu
The Hindu 25m
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction on Jan. 24, 2026 blocking the Department of Homeland Security from terminating humanitarian parole for more than 8,400 people from seven Latin American countries admitted under family reunification programs.
Federal court halts move to end parole for family reunification migrants
A What happened
The order was issued by Boston-based U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani and applies to parole recipients from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras who entered the U.S. through family reunification parole programs that allow sponsored relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to live in the U.S. while awaiting immigrant visa availability.

Why it matters

  • DHS enforcement timeline constrained: The injunction prevents DHS from implementing the planned status terminations while the case proceeds, keeping the affected population in lawful parole status for now.

  • Court oversight becomes the operative gatekeeper: Any near-term change to these parole grants now depends on further court rulings rather than administrative action alone.

  • Family reunification channel remains open for current beneficiaries: Sponsors and parolees covered by the order retain the ability to remain in the U.S. under the existing parole framework pending litigation.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation Migration Law & Public Safety Courts

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