The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has resumed processing immigration benefits for thousands of individuals who entered the country under various humanitarian parole programs. The decision was formalized following a court order issued on May 28, 2025, by the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, which instructed the government to lift the pause imposed in February.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented the measure through an internal memo dated June 9, signed by its acting director, Angelica Alfonso-Royals. This document was submitted to Federal Judge Indira Talwani as part of the case file for Doe v. Noem.
The resumption affects only beneficiaries previously admitted under programs such as parole for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), Uniting for Ukraine, the family reunification parole, and Military Parole in Place. Initial applications for new entries through these programs remain suspended.
Who Benefits from the Resumption of Immigration Processing?
The new memo issued by USCIS allows individuals admitted to the United States under humanitarian parole to once again process benefits that had been frozen since February. These benefits include applications for renewal of temporary stay permits, work authorizations, travel permits (advance parole), and asylum requests.
The USCIS administrative decision complied with a preliminary injunction issued by Judge Talwani. The court order came in response to the freeze the government had established through an internal communication on February 14, during the transition between administrations.
Each application will be evaluated individually, and beneficiaries may begin receiving responses to their requests, provided they have completed the required documentation. The review of each case remains subject to verification processes established by immigration regulations.
Which Parole Programs Are Included in the Measure?
The USCIS memo includes four humanitarian programs:
- The CHNV process (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela)
- Uniting for Ukraine
- The family reunification parole (Family Reunification Parole)
- Military Parole in Place for undocumented family members of military personnel
These programs were designed by the previous administration to provide temporary protection and orderly migration control through a sponsorship system based on digital applications. The organization noted that the freeze on benefits had left many individuals in legal limbo, despite having been legally admitted to the country.
Which Immigration Benefits Remain Suspended by USCIS?
While certain processes have been reactivated, USCIS confirmed in its statement to the federal court that the following procedures remain suspended:
- Initial parole applications
- Applications to become a sponsor
- Processes linked to the Safe Mobility Offices
- Applications under the parole for Central American minors (Central American Minors Program)
- Special permits for international entrepreneurs
Judge Talwani ordered DHS to inform the court of the concrete steps it was taking to comply with her May 28 decision after the plaintiffs noted that no progress had been observed. DHS responded by formally submitting the June 9 memo and its gradual implementation through USCIS.
What Is the Judicial Background of the Case Doe v. Noem?
The case Doe v. Noem (No. 1:25-cv-10495) was filed by a group of immigrants and U.S. sponsors, with legal support from the Justice Action Center, Human Rights First, and the law firm Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP. The lawsuit seeks to halt the government’s efforts to dismantle parole programs created during the previous administration.
The litigation is still in its preliminary phase, and Judge Talwani’s order is temporary. The decision requires the government to maintain the validity of permits and resume processing benefits to prevent the loss of status for hundreds of thousands of individuals affected by the February administrative pause.
When Will the Changes Be Reflected in the Immigration System?
USCIS reported that it is implementing technical changes to its adjudication systems, new instructions for staff, and updates to materials available on its website. These modifications are necessary to properly apply the court’s decision and reactivate pending processes.
The USCIS official portal has not yet published a bulletin in its news section reflecting the June 9 memo. However, the existence of the document was confirmed through its judicial submission in the case file.
Image: Infobae
