Legal disputes over U.S. family-reunification parole programs have continued into 2026, as federal courts weigh in on efforts by the federal government to end programs that allowed certain migrants to live and work legally in the United States.
One major setback for family-based immigration relief occurred in late 2024. The Biden-era “Keeping Families Together” program, also known as parole-in-place, allowed undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful status without leaving the country. On November 7, 2024, a federal judge in Texas struck down the program, ruling that it went beyond the authority granted to the executive branch.
More recently, attention has turned to a separate set of Family Reunification Parole (FRP) programs. In December 2025, the administration announced plans to terminate these programs for nationals of seven countries: Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras. The termination was scheduled to take effect on January 14, 2026, and would have ended both parole status and work authorization for thousands of people already living in the U.S.
However, on January 24, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily blocked the termination. In the case Svitlana Doe v. Noem, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Homeland Security from ending parole protections while the lawsuit moves forward.
The judge ruled that the government’s action was likely “arbitrary and capricious” and criticized DHS for failing to give proper notice to those affected. The court noted that thousands of individuals — including many children — faced the sudden loss of legal status and the ability to work.
As of early February 2026, the court order remains in effect. People already granted parole under these family reunification programs are allowed to keep their legal status and work authorization for now. While earlier family-based relief programs have been halted, these court protections offer temporary stability for many immigrant families as legal challenges continue.
