A U.S. federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump has the legal authority to end certain temporary protections for hundreds of thousands of migrants. The decision affects approximately 430,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who have been living in the United States under a form of humanitarian relief.
The ruling, issued Friday, reverses an earlier order from a Washington, D.C. district judge who had blocked the administration’s efforts in August. That judge, appointed during President Biden’s term, had temporarily prevented the move to end the protected status program for these groups.
The protected status in question — often called “humanitarian parole” or “temporary protected status” depending on the program — allows migrants to live and work in the U.S. for a limited period due to conditions in their home countries, such as conflict or natural disasters. The appeals court found that the executive branch retains broad discretion to modify or terminate such programs.
This decision marks a significant development in U.S. immigration policy and sets the stage for potential further appeals or legislative action. Advocacy groups and legal experts are closely watching the case, as it could impact not only the affected individuals but also the future scope of presidential power over immigration programs.
