CHIRLA v. Noem Challenged Use of Rapid Deportation for Those Who Entered with Parole
WASHINGTON – A federal district court today issued an order in CHIRLA v. Noem, a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s use of expedited removal against those who entered the United States with parole. The plaintiffs, membership-based organizations Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), CASA, and the UndocuBlack Network (UBN), argued that the Trump administration was violating the law by subjecting this group of people to expedited removal, a fast-tracked deportation process that prevents people from having a fair chance at defending themselves.
“Over the last few months, immigrants who entered the country with parole have been living a nightmare, as the government revoked their status and sought to deport them quickly,” said Ama Frimpong, CASA’s Legal Director. “We know the fight is far from over. However, they can now sleep a little easier with the relief, however temporary it is, that this court decision has offered: the government is not allowed to abduct them and separate them from their families, without giving them the chance to defend themselves in court.”
The court’s order made the issues at the heart of the matter clear, stating, “This case presents a question of fair play. Plaintiffs’ members, and hundreds of thousands of others like them, fled oppressive regimes and perilous conditions in their home countries… In a world of bad options, they played by the rules. Now, the Government has not only closed off those pathways for new arrivals but changed the game for parolees already here, restricting their ability to seek immigration relief and subjecting them to summary removal despite statutory law prohibiting the Executive Branch from doing so.”
“Black immigrants know all too well what happens when the Trump administration feels it can act with impunity,” said Patrice Lawrence, Executive Director of UBN. “Today’s order is a testament to the power and resilience of our Haitian members, who, despite having everything to lose, stood up to protect everyone’s rights today. Everyone has the right to freedom, due process and justice. Today the court recognized that!”
In their legal filings, plaintiffs submitted 10 declarations from immigration attorneys from across the country, many of whom recounted horrific experiences of their clients with parole who attended immigration court hearings, only to have them dismissed and to be arrested by immigration officers waiting outside the courtroom. These people were then whisked hundreds or thousands of miles from loved ones with limited access to their attorneys.
“The Trump administration tried to play fast and loose with the law by essentially disappearing our clients’ members and those like them,” said Hillary Li, Counsel with Justice Action Center, who argued the case last month. “Today’s order serves as a reminder that the rule of law should continue to be respected. The government cannot simply deny people with parole their statutory rights in order to fulfill their mass deportation fantasy.”
“We are extremely gratified by today’s ruling that will protect so many immigrants, who were fleeing persecution, from being detained and disappeared by this lawless Administration. CHIRLA helped many of them who were either put on buses by the Governor of Texas or walked into our offices seeking assistance when they arrived in California. Since then, like so many in our community, they are contributing to our collective good every single day. Removing this sword of Damocles from over their heads is exactly the relief we sought alongside our partners at Justice Action Center, CASA and UndocuBlack,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
UndocuBlack, CHIRLA, and CASA, with legal representation from Justice Action Center, filed their lawsuit in a federal district court in the District of Columbia in March. A copy of the complaint is available here. They filed motions seeking emergency relief in June, and the court held a hearing on July 9. The case was filed on behalf of members of the organizations who received parole through CBP One (at a port of entry) or through humanitarian parole processes such as Uniting for Ukraine, Operation Allies Welcome, the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela (CHNV) parole process and more.
To read more about the Trump Administration’s various efforts to dismantle parole, visit Justice Action Center’s litigation tracker.
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Justice Action Center (JAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for greater justice for immigrant communities by combining litigation and storytelling. JAC is committed to bringing additional litigation resources to address unmet needs, empower clients, and change the corrosive narrative around immigrants in the U.S. Learn more at justiceactioncenter.org and follow us on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. CASA creates change with its powerbuilding model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. www.wearecasa.org
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) was founded in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees. CHIRLA became a place for organizations and people who support human rights to work together for policies that advance justice and full inclusion for all immigrants. CHIRLA has since become one of the largest and most effective advocates for immigrant rights, organizing, educating and defending immigrants and refugees in the streets, in the courts, and in the halls of power.
Founded in January 2016, the UndocuBlack Network (UBN) is a multi-generational network of Black immigrants that fosters community, facilitates access to resources, and advocates to transform the realities of our people, so we are thriving and living our fullest lives.