Judge Allison D. Burroughs ruled that the mass termination of parole was illegal, temporarily restoring protection to hundreds of thousands of migrants.
In a landmark ruling that represents a setback for the current administration’s policies, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday to restore the legal status of hundreds of thousands of migrants who entered the country through the CBP One app.
The court decision blocks the government’s measure that had massively and immediately revoked the parole status of migrants who entered under this program created during the Biden era. The court determined that DHS acted illegally by canceling these protections “with a single click” and without following the due process required by U.S. law.
More than 900,000 people legally entered the U.S. through the CBP One app, which began scheduling appointments for migrants at ports of entry in January 2023.
Many of the beneficiaries were granted parole, allowing them to remain in the U.S. for two years and obtain work authorization.
Who Benefits from This Ruling?
This court order protects a broad class of immigrants, restoring the stability they need to work, maintain their housing, and continue their asylum cases. Specifically, it benefits:
- CBP One Users (2023-2025): Migrants from various nationalities (with a high representation of citizens from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua) who used the mobile app to schedule appointments at southern border ports of entry.
- Individuals with Approved Parole: Those who presented themselves legally at the border, were inspected by immigration authorities, and formally received parole status.
- Those Affected by the Revocation: Individuals who received notifications (typically via email) starting in April 2025 about the termination of their status and who currently remain physically in the United States.
Important Note: This order is unlikely to benefit those who have already been deported or those who have already adjusted their immigration status through other permanent pathways.
What Is the Process, and What Should Migrants Do?
The ruling nullifies the termination notices and requires the government to immediately restore the previous legal status. However, the Department of Justice is expected to appeal the decision.
While DHS reviews and adjusts its procedures (which could take 1 to 3 months), here is the recommended process for affected migrants:
- Automatic Restoration by Court Order: The court ordered the reinstatement of parole for all members of the class-action lawsuit. This means that, legally, the status is temporarily restored while DHS complies with the order and updates its systems.
- Gather and Protect Documentation: Migrants should collect and safeguard their original entry documents (such as Form I-94), CBP One approval emails, work permits (EAD), and any government notifications.
- Monitor Official Communications: It is crucial to stay alert for direct notifications from USCIS or DHS regarding the official reactivation of work permits and status.
- Seek Legal Counsel Immediately: The judge clarified that DHS still retains the authority to cancel parole but must do so by following proper legal procedures (evaluating cases individually, not en masse). Therefore, it is vital to consult with an accredited immigration attorney to explore permanent protection pathways, such as asylum, before the government attempts further legal actions.
The Context of the Ruling
The current administration had argued that it possessed the executive authority to revoke permits granted by the previous administration, ordering the immediate departure of up to 900,000 immigrants.
However, civil rights organizations like Democracy Forward sued over the measure, calling it “cruel and destabilizing,” arguing that migrants followed the law, waited for their appointments, and were legally inspected.
Judge Burroughs’ ruling sides with them and temporarily halts the mass deportations of this group.
