A federal judge blocked the government’s termination of the family reunification program. The move would’ve ended the legal status of more than eight thousand individuals living in the U.S. The judge explained that individuals who entered the U.S. under the family reunification program were legal residents and properly vetted prior to arrival.

On December 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would end the program. The DHS explained that the program was incompatible with the government’s current immigration enforcement priorities and that the individuals who entered under the program were poorly vetted. The program was originally slated for termination on January 14.

The judge that blocked the termination explained that the DHS didn’t properly explain their reasoning beyond claiming beneficiaries were poorly vetted. Not doing so let the judge block the termination, citing it as arbitrary and capricious. Additionally, the judge explained that the DHS didn’t give a framework for how former beneficiaries could safely return to their home countries.

This is not the first time the government and a judge clashed over humanitarian parole. In 2025, a federal judge blocked the government’s termination of the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program. The block was later overturned by an appeals court. While the case continues in court, program beneficiaries can remain in the U.S.

As always, Immigration USA actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, we’re with you every step of the way.