A recent court ruling in the United States has sparked hope for thousands of Cuban migrants under the humanitarian parole program. This comes after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration's attempt to revoke their immigration benefits in April. Journalist Mario J. Pentón spoke with immigration attorney Jesús Novo, who confirmed that many migrants with parole and an I-94 form have begun receiving favorable responses from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). "I've received calls and messages from several individuals confirming the return of their reinstated I-94," Pentón reported.
Novo noted the initial fear this situation caused among the migrant community, which includes Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, especially after the U.S. government planned to revoke parole benefits starting April 24. Although the situation has improved, it remains unresolved. The attorney issued an important caution.
The Role of the Federal Judge in Blocking Trump's Measure
Federal Judge Indira Talwani in Boston declared that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) misapplied the law when canceling benefits, as these migrants had legally entered the country with official permission. Moreover, another significant issue arose when ICE mistakenly listed parole recipients as deceased, leading to the suspension of their Social Security numbers. This error has also been corrected. "It was an attempt to strip benefits from certain immigrants, but it was nonsensical, and we all knew it wouldn't hold," said attorney Novo.
Impact of the Judicial Decision on Migrants
The court's decision offers relief to over 531,000 individuals who have entered the U.S. legally between January 2023 and December 2024 through the CHNV program. Among these, more than 110,000 Cubans have arrived via this route.
Ongoing Legal Battle: A Word of Caution
Despite the relief, the case remains open in court. "It's crucial to remember that the federal government has filed an appeal against the judge's decision. We need to stay vigilant because if the appeals court overturns the ruling, the processes could be prolonged," Novo warned. "It's good news, but we must keep an eye on the court's decisions. For now, it's temporary; it could become permanent, but we have to wait," he emphasized.
The attorney also urged parole beneficiaries not to let their guard down and to focus on the individual processing of their cases, as obtaining permanent legal status in the United States could be more complicated than anticipated.
Key Questions About the Parole Program for Cuban Migrants
What prompted the recent court ruling on the parole program?
The ruling was prompted by a federal judge's decision that the Department of Homeland Security incorrectly applied the law by canceling benefits for migrants who entered the U.S. legally with official permission.
How many Cuban migrants have been affected by the parole program?
Over 110,000 Cuban migrants have entered the United States through the CHNV program between January 2023 and December 2024.
What should parole beneficiaries do while the case is still open?
Beneficiaries are advised to stay vigilant, follow court decisions closely, and focus on processing their individual cases, as achieving permanent legal status may be challenging.