On May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled the government can ignore the removal protections for migrants who entered the United States through the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program. The program gives migrants form these countries protection from removal for up to two years. It’s estimated that up to five hundred thousand individuals could lose their protected status.
The decision is related to an executive order issued by President Trump on January 20, 2025, instructing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate the CHNV program. A group of plaintiff’s challenge the order in court, where a federal judge placed a temporary block dismantling the program. The First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the decision and is currently considering an appeal of the order itself.
SCOTUS’ ruling means the DHS can detain and remove migrants under the CHNV program, at least until the appeal is processed. CHNV is one of multiple active parole programs in the U.S. immigration systems, but it’s faced the most scrutiny. The other two major programs grant removal protections to Ukrainians and Afghans respectively, the latter of which will end on July 14, 2025.
The government initially appealed to SCOTUS after the First Circuit Court directed them to seek an expedited repeal of the federal court’s decision. It’s unclear if the government will challenge the court of appeals if the termination block remains in place. Individuals with removal protections under the CHNV program should take proactive steps to make sure their legal status complies with immigration law, especially until the First Circuit Court reaches an appeal decision.
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