A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s effort to revoke the legal status of over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These individuals had been granted temporary legal status and work permits under a Biden-era program initiated in January 2023.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the administration’s plan to terminate the program without individualized assessments violated the rule of law. She emphasized that revoking legal status for individuals who had complied with Department of Homeland Security protocols and entered the country lawfully undermines legal principles.
The program, which allowed migrants to enter the U.S. with financial sponsorship and security clearances, was set to expire on April 24. The Trump administration’s order aimed to end the program, potentially leading to deportation for those affected.
Advocacy groups, such as the Justice Action Center, challenged the policy, arguing that it would cause significant harm to individuals who had followed legal procedures. Karen Tumlin, founder and director of the Justice Action Center, expressed relief, stating that the ruling prevents the government from failing to uphold its commitments.
The ruling provides temporary relief to the affected migrants, pending further legal proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have not yet commented on the decision.
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