The Supreme Court Terminates Biden-Era Family Reunification Programs
In a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, the Supreme Court has permitted the termination of the Biden-era humanitarian parole programs, notably the CHNV initiative, which provided temporary legal status to over 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This decision has raised concerns about the future of affected individuals and the broader implications for family reunification efforts.
The CHNV parole program, initiated in late 2022, was designed to offer a legal pathway for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. temporarily. Participants were required to secure a U.S.-based sponsor and undergo vetting processes, allowing them to live and work in the country for up to two years. The program aimed to manage migration humanely and reduce pressure on the southern border by providing an alternative to irregular crossings.
However, on May 30, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a 7 to 2 ruling, allowed the current administration to revoke this program, overturning a previous injunction that had blocked its termination. The Court permitted the termination of the CHNV parole program after determining that the executive branch had broad discretion in immigration policy, including the use or revocation of humanitarian parole.
In the majority opinion, the Court held that the Biden administration had overstepped executive authority in using parole on such a large scale. "Congress — not the Executive — has the power to make immigration law", the opinion stated, highlighting separation-of-powers concerns. Supporters of the decision argue that such programs, though well-intended, may have exceeded the intended scope of executive authority and lacked congressional oversight.
The unsigned majority decision was met with dissent from Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, who expressed concerns about the humanitarian impact on migrants who had relied on the program for legal status and work authorization.
“The Government offers no satisfactory explanation for why it must immediately upend the lives and livelihoods of nearly half a million noncitizens while their legal claims are pending.” — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in her dissent
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had earlier announced the termination of the CHNV parole programs effective March 25, 2025, stating that parolees without a lawful basis to remain in the U.S. must depart by April 24, 2025, unless individually determined otherwise. This decision affects over 500,000 migrants who entered the U.S. under the program, many of whom are now facing changes to their legal status and must review their options to remain lawfully in the country.
The termination of the CHNV program has significant implications for cities like Chicago, which has received over 50,000 migrants since 2022.
Critics of the CHNV program argued that it bypassed standard immigration processes and placed an unmanageable burden on local governments, especially in cities that received a large influx of new arrivals. Others contended that expanding parole authority without congressional input set a problematic precedent.
Advocates and immigration experts have criticized the abrupt end to the program, highlighting the contributions of parolees to the U.S. economy and communities. They argue that the termination undermines efforts to provide safe and legal migration pathways and may lead to increased unauthorized border crossings.
More Visa Fraud Crackdowns by USCIS and ICE
On May 28, 2025, USCIS announced two new guilty pleas in separate marriage fraud cases, highlighting continued efforts by federal authorities to deter abuse of the family-based immigration system. The timing of these prosecutions suggests a strategic push to keep marriage-based visa fraud under close scrutiny — and to send a clear message about the consequences of misrepresenting personal relationships for immigration benefit.
In West Virginia, Aakash Prakash Makwana, a 29-year-old Indian national, admitted to entering a sham marriage with a U.S. citizen after overstaying his J-1 visa. When the marriage route faltered, Makwana allegedly tried to obtain a green card by falsely claiming to be a victim of domestic abuse. He pleaded guilty to marriage fraud and aggravated identity theft, serious federal offenses that could result in both imprisonment and removal from the U.S. Just days earlier, on May 17, USCIS and the Department of Justice secured another conviction: Rambhai Patel, also an Indian national, confessed to organizing staged armed robberies across several states to help others fraudulently qualify for U visas, which are intended for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.
Earlier in April, USCIS and ICE launched “Operation Bargain Brides”, an enforcement sweep that exposed fraudulent marriage schemes involving hundreds of arranged marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. The operation led to multiple arrests, including facilitators who coached couples through fake ceremonies, prepared fraudulent documentation, and provided interview coaching to deceive immigration officers. Rather than a one-time campaign, these actions reflect a broader enforcement pattern. USCIS has signaled it will continue to pursue fraud aggressively, not only through public investigations but also through increased scrutiny of visa applications, more frequent in-person interviews, and expanded use of background checks.
Note that these crackdowns are aimed specifically at fraudulent activity — not genuine couples. If you’re in a legitimate relationship and pursuing a green card through marriage, you should not be discouraged by these developments. That said, if you’re unsure how to prepare your application or how to prove a bona fide relationship, working with an experienced immigration attorney can help ensure your case is strong, compliant, and stress-free.
