Trump administration revokes parole for 6,300 foreign nationals with security concerns, triggering immediate legal battles as a federal judge halts part of the sweeping immigration crackdown.
At a Glance
- The Trump administration has revoked parole status for 6,300 foreign nationals identified as having criminal histories or on the terrorist watchlist.
- Many of these parolees had accessed government benefits including Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and federal student loans despite security concerns.
- The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered these individuals were paroled under the previous administration with “minimal screening.”
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to terminate parole for approximately 500,000 individuals under the CHNV program.
- The action is part of broader immigration reform that includes declaring a national emergency at the southern border.
Security Concerns Prompt Immediate Action
The Trump administration has revoked parole status for 6,300 foreign nationals who have been identified as having criminal histories or appearing on the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center watchlist. This decision follows discoveries made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which found that these individuals had been granted entry into the United States with limited vetting during the previous administration.
Despite lacking permanent legal status, these paroled individuals received social security numbers and work authorization, enabling them to access multiple government benefits. DOGE reported that many obtained Medicaid coverage, unemployment insurance payments, and federal student loans, raising concerns about national security and proper resource allocation.
Legal Authority and Challenges
The Department of Homeland Security has defended the revocation, stating that Secretary Kristi Noem possesses the legal authority to cancel these paroles. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that this action fulfills campaign promises to secure the border and protect national security interests.
“Under federal law, Secretary [Kristi] Noem — in support of the president — has full authority to revoke parole. Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security.” – Department of Homeland Security spokesperson.
However, the administration’s broader attempt to terminate the CHNV parole program affecting approximately 500,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has been temporarily halted by a U.S. District Judge. This judicial intervention represents the first major legal obstacle to the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Measures
The parole revocations constitute just one component of the administration’s comprehensive immigration strategy. President Trump has signed multiple executive actions focusing on border security, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, which would allow military deployment to address what he characterizes as an invasion.
“Our southern border is overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans” – Trump.
Additional measures include designating criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for four months, and plans to revoke parole for approximately 985,000 individuals who entered the U.S. under the CBP One app. The administration also aims to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy despite reported disagreement from Mexican authorities.
Constitutional Questions Emerge
Among the more controversial aspects of the administration’s immigration agenda is the attempt to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status. This proposal has already attracted criticism from opponents who argue it contradicts the 14th Amendment’s citizenship provisions.
Legal experts anticipate significant challenges to this and other aspects of the immigration reform package as they move through implementation. The ongoing judicial intervention regarding the CHNV program suggests that courts will play a decisive role in determining which portions of the administration’s immigration agenda will ultimately take effect.
