Federal Judge Blocks Trump Admin Effort to End Biden-Era Migrant Program

Ruling prevents DHS from terminating status of hundreds of thousands of migrants under controversial 'CBP One' app system

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:08pm

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A federal judge in Boston has issued a ruling that prevents the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from terminating the legal status of hundreds of thousands of migrants who entered the country under a controversial Biden-era program known as 'CBP One'. The ruling is a significant blow to the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the app system, which allowed nearly one million noncitizens from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti to schedule appointments at ports of entry and receive 'humanitarian parole' status.

Why it matters

The judge's decision highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration policy between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary. It also raises questions about the scope of executive authority in setting immigration enforcement priorities and the role of the courts in overseeing such decisions.

The details

In April 2025, the Trump administration notified approximately 900,000 CBP One users via email that their parole had been terminated and they must 'depart the United States immediately'. However, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama appointee, sided with a class-action lawsuit led by the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and ruled that the blanket revocation was 'not in accordance with law', arguing that DHS failed to provide individualized records proving that the 'purposes of parole' had been served for each migrant before revoking their status.

  • In 2023, the 'CBP One' app was launched under then-Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
  • In April 2025, the Trump administration notified approximately 900,000 CBP One users that their parole had been terminated.
  • On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued the ruling blocking the Trump administration's termination of the CBP One program.

The players

Allison Burroughs

A U.S. District Judge in Boston, appointed by former President Barack Obama.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement and attempted to terminate the CBP One program.

Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts

The lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's termination of the CBP One program.

Democracy Forward

The liberal legal group representing the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts in the lawsuit.

Alejandro Mayorkas

The former Secretary of Homeland Security who launched the CBP One app system in 2023.

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What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has indicated it will appeal the judge's ruling to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration policy between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary, raising questions about the scope of executive authority in setting enforcement priorities and the role of the courts in overseeing such decisions.