Supreme Court Makes Final Ruling on Deportation of 500,000 Migrants in US
- The US Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump's administration can temporarily revoke the legal status of over 500,000 migrants, overturning a previous federal court decision
- The ruling puts migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela at risk of deportation, sparking controversy among immigrant rights groups and liberal justices
- The White House has welcomed the decision, with officials celebrating the opportunity to enforce stricter immigration policies
The US Supreme Court ruled on 30 May that President Donald Trump's administration could temporarily revoke the legal status of over 500,000 migrants living in the United States.
The decision halted a previous federal judge's order that prevented the administration from ending the parole immigration programme, which was originally established by former President Joe Biden, BBC reported.
Source: Getty Images
The ruling puts approximately 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela at risk of deportation, significantly impacting those who had sought refuge in the US due to economic and political instability in their home countries.
Liberal justices oppose deportation ruling
Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, two of the Supreme Court's three liberal members, dissented against the order. The parole programme had provided immigrants with temporary legal status, enabling them to live and work in the US for two years due to urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, according to the US government.
The Trump administration had filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court after a federal judge in Massachusetts blocked its attempt to end the programme, also known as CHNV humanitarian parole.
White House reaction to Supreme Court decision
The White House welcomed the ruling, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stating to CNN that officials celebrated the opportunity to deport 500,000 "invaders". "The Supreme Court justly stepped in," he said.
In her dissent, Justice Jackson warned of the consequences, writing that the court's order would have the lives of half a million migrants unravel all around us before the courts decide their legal claims.
Trump administration’s immigration policy shift
On the day he took office, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to eliminate parole programmes. In March, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the end of CHNV humanitarian parole, further solidifying the administration's stance on immigration.
Several immigrant rights groups and affected migrants sued the Trump administration, arguing that they could face serious risks of danger, persecution, and even death if deported back to their home countries.
Parole programmes in US immigration history
The Supreme Court's ruling follows an earlier decision this month that permitted Trump officials to revoke Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for approximately 350,000 Venezuelan immigrants residing in the US.
Humanitarian parole programmes have historically been used to grant refuge to migrants fleeing war and instability. In the 1960s, Cuban migrants benefited from such policies following the revolution, and more recently, President Biden established a parole programme for Ukrainians in 2022 amid Russia's invasion.
Deportation looms
Chinedu Chidi, a public policy expert, analysed the current ruling by Supreme Court.
He told Legit.ng:
“Although it doesn’t directly affect Africans, this ruling is a big deal for the Trump administration , it actually means potential deportation for all the 500,000 migrants who were previously protected. Supporters say it's about restoring legal boundaries, while critics warn of hardship.”
US cancels all visas of an entire African country over immigration issues
Legit.ng earlier reported that the United States has revoked all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders, citing the African nation’s refusal to accept its repatriated citizens.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this decision on April 5, adding that South Sudanese citizens would also be barred from entering the US at ports of entry.
According to the BBC, Rubio criticised South Sudan’s transitional government for failing to cooperate with repatriation efforts.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
Source: Legit.ng
