A group of American citizens, human rights organizations, and immigrants has filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump for the termination of the humanitarian parole program, a measure that allowed the entry and temporary residence in the United States of individuals from countries experiencing conflict or political instability.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Massachusetts, seeks to reinstate this program that benefited migrants from countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as long as they had sponsors residing in the country.
Countries that have benefited from humanitarian parole
Ukraine: In response to the crisis arising from the Russian invasion in 2022, the United States implemented the "Uniting for Ukraine" program, which allows Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members to enter the country for a period of two years, provided they have a U.S. sponsor to support them financially.
Afghanistan: Following the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the takeover by the Taliban in 2021, the United States granted humanitarian parole to certain Afghans, particularly those who assisted the U.S. government, such as interpreters and security personnel, as well as to their immediate family members.
Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: In January 2023, the Biden administration expanded the temporary permit program to include citizens from these four countries.
This permit granted them a stay in the United States for a period of two years, provided they have a sponsor to support their stay.
The uncertainty of migrants following the elimination of the program
Among the plaintiffs are eight immigrants who entered the United States legally before the program was canceled.
However, with the elimination of humanitarian parole, their asylum requests, visas, and other applications to regularize their immigration status have been suspended, leaving them in a legal limbo.
One of the affected is Alejandro Doe, who fled Nicaragua after the kidnapping and torture of his father.
Another plaintiff is Omar Doe, an Afghan who worked for over 18 years with the U.S. military in his home country and who now fears being deported.
The Ukrainian couple Maksym and Maria Doe are also mentioned in the lawsuit; they arrived in the U.S. seeking safety, but now face an uncertain future.
Many of them have decided to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisals or immediate deportations.
According to Esther Sung, a lawyer at the Center for Justice Action, who filed the lawsuit alongside the organization Human Rights First, the Trump administration has closed almost all legal pathways for immigration.
"The Trump administration is trying to attack parole from every angle," Sung declared.
Citizens and organizations join the demand
The legal process not only has the backing of affected migrants but also the support of three American citizens and organizations that advocate for migrant rights.
Among the plaintiffs are Kyle Varner, a 40-year-old doctor and real estate investor from Spokane, Washington; Sandra McAnany and Wilhen Pierre Victor, who have expressed their concerns regarding the anti-immigrant measures of the Trump administration.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance, an organization based in California that provides legal advice and support to migrants in vulnerable situations, also participates in the lawsuit.
Transfer of migrants to Guantánamo: a new controversy
At the same time, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed another lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt the transfer of migrants to the naval base in Guantánamo, Cuba.
According to the report, the administration has begun sending detained migrants to a detention center in Guantánamo, raising concerns about the conditions in which they would be held.
The ACLU argues that this practice is illegal and "violates human rights" by placing migrants in a remote prison without adequate access to legal assistance.
Repression against migrant farmworkers
The legal actions against the Trump administration also include a lawsuit filed in California by the United Farm Workers (UFW), which accuses the Border Patrol of conducting arbitrary raids in Latino communities far from the border.
The complaint alleges racial discrimination, mistreatment, and pressure on migrants to accept deportation without due legal process.
According to the document, federal agents traveled over 480 kilometers from the border to detain farmworkers without clear evidence of their immigration status.
The impact of Trump's immigration policies
Since taking office, President Donald Trump made the fight against immigration one of his main campaign promises, promoting stricter measures to curb the entry of migrants and facilitating mass deportations.
With the elimination of humanitarian parole and the tightening of immigration policies, human rights organizations and experts warn that thousands of people could find themselves in a situation of extreme vulnerability.
The legal battle against the Trump administration continues, as those affected wait for the U.S. judicial system to halt the measures that restrict legal and humanitarian immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Demand to Reinstate Humanitarian Parole in the U.S.
What is the humanitarian parole program and why has its reinstatement been requested?
The humanitarian parole program allowed for the temporary entry and residence in the United States for individuals from conflict-affected countries or those experiencing political instability. There has been a call for its reinstatement as it was eliminated by the Trump administration, leaving many migrants in legal limbo. The lawsuit filed seeks to have this program reimplemented, which benefited migrants from countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
How did the elimination of humanitarian parole affect migrants?
The elimination of humanitarian parole left many migrants in a legal limbo, as their asylum applications, visas, and other requests to regularize their immigration status were suspended. This has generated uncertainty and the possibility of facing deportations. Furthermore, the cancellation of the program has particularly impacted those who entered the U.S. legally before its elimination.
What legal options do migrants affected by the elimination of humanitarian parole have?
Migrants affected by the elimination of humanitarian parole have some legal options depending on their country of origin. For example, Venezuelans and Haitians may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), while Cubans can benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Act. It is crucial for migrants to seek specialized legal advice to explore these alternatives and avoid deportation.
What measures has the Trump administration taken regarding migrants with humanitarian parole?
The Trump administration has granted more power to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expedite the deportation of immigrants who entered under the humanitarian parole program. These measures aim to tighten immigration policies and limit the legal options available to migrants. The Trump administration plans to completely dismantle the program, which could lead to mass deportations.
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