Federal court upholds CHNV humanitarian parole program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 8, 2024

Contact: Jason Lucas | jason.lucas@globalrefuge.org

Baltimore, MD –  A Texas district court ruled today in favor of the Biden administration in Texas v. DHS regarding the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program. A Texas-led coalition of states filed a motion last year challenging the program’s legality and asked a federal district court to issue an injunction to end the program.

In 2023, the CHNV parole program provided protection pathways for more than 325,000 migrants who sought safety and family reunification opportunities in the United States. Global Refuge affiliates have supported hundreds of individuals who entered the country through the program, and the organization previously submitted an amicus, or friend-of the-court brief, with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in support of the parole program.

The amicus brief filed with the federal district court cited three Global Refuge clients who utilized the CHNV parole program, which helped them avoid making a treacherous journey or risk being detained at the U.S.-Mexico border. Each client immigrated to the U.S. due to the dire humanitarian situations in their home countries, and two of them were able to reunite with family members through the program. These clients received assistance ranging from employment and legal services to healthcare and mental health access.

In response to the decision, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, said:

“We are grateful that this program can remain a source of hope and relief for hundreds of thousands of people facing dire conditions in their home countries. While the program is not a permanent solution for those seeking protection, it provides a safe orderly alternative to making the dangerous journey to the U.S.-Mexico border. More broadly, we have been deeply moved by the compassion and generosity of countless U.S. sponsors who have stepped up to extend a warm welcome and a helping hand to these newcomers. We look forward to walking alongside more families who find safe haven as a result of this lifeline.”

About us:

Global Refuge, formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, is a nonprofit serving newcomers seeking safety, support, and a share in the American dream. For 85 years, we have welcomed those seeking refuge, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. We walk alongside individuals, families, and children as they begin their new lives in the United States through our work in refugee resettlement, welcome and respite services for asylum seekers, economic empowerment and employment, and family unification for unaccompanied children. To date, we have served over 750,000 people from around the globe. At Global Refuge, welcoming newcomers isn’t just our duty—it’s an inherent part of our identity, rooted in our Lutheran heritage and inspired values, and serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to those in search of refuge.