BOSTON — A federal judge in Boston directed the Trump administration to restore the legal status of migrants allowed into the United States under a now-defunct Biden administration asylum program that used the CBP One app. Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the parole terminations exceeded the agency's statutory authority and contradicted the procedures set forth in its own regulations.

The ruling restores parole status to individuals nationwide who had received notifications from the Department of Homeland Security cancelling their parole. In April 2025, DHS terminated the parole status of migrants processed under the CBP One program and urged them to self-deport or face detention and deportation.

The Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and three women impacted by the policy change sued the Trump administration, alleging the termination was unlawful and violated the Administrative Procedure Act.

Beginning in January 2023, the CBP One program scheduled appointments for migrants at official ports of entry along the southern border. Approximately 900,000 migrants who entered the United States at the southern border through the CBP One app were allowed to remain in the country for two years and were granted parole and work authorization.

In April 2025, migrants whose parole status was terminated received emails stating "It is time for you to leave the United States" and warning they could be deported unless they obtained a lawful basis to remain. The email notifications also revoked the migrants' work authorizations.

"For many Venezuelan families, this decision brings long-awaited relief after months of fear and uncertainty," Carlina Velásquez, President of the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, said. "The ruling is a clear rejection of an administration that has tried to erase lawful status for hundreds of thousands of people with the click of a button. Our clients followed the law: they waited, registered, were inspected, and were granted parole under the law," Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, said.

"We disagree with this blatant judicial activism undermining the President's Article II authority to determine who remains in this country," a DHS spokesperson said. "Under federal law, DHS had full authority to revoke parole. Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect our national security."

The Biden administration argued that the CBP One program reduced illegal immigration by giving migrants the chance to enter the United States with government permission. The Trump administration is likely to appeal the ruling.