A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the end of temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants.
Appeals Court Reverses Lower Ruling
On Friday, September 12, 2025, the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a ruling by Judge Indira Talwani. Her earlier decision had blocked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from canceling the parole program.
Judge Gustavo Gelpí, writing for the panel, admitted the decision forces many migrants into a tough choice: return home to dangerous conditions or risk detention in the U.S. However, he concluded that advocates failed to prove Noem lacked the legal authority to end parole under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
All three judges on the panel were appointed by Democratic presidents.
How the Parole Program Began
The parole program started under President Joe Biden in 2022. It first applied to Venezuelans entering the U.S. by air, who could stay for two years if they had a financial sponsor and cleared security checks.
In 2023, the program expanded to Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. By January 2025, more than 532,000 people had benefited.
End of the Program
In March 2025, Secretary Noem announced the termination of parole, affecting around 430,000 migrants. The Supreme Court allowed the terminations to take effect in May while the legal battle continued.
Reaction to the Ruling
Esther Sung, a lawyer with the Justice Action Centre, called the appeals court decision “devastating.” Still, she noted the case is not over, saying there remains a chance for migrants to prevail as litigation moves forward.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the ruling.
