Attorney General Letitia James calls on federal court to uphold immigrant protections, stating that ending parole programs threatens human lives and the essential labor force across U.S. states

New York – In a significant move to safeguard the rights of immigrants fleeing perilous conditions in their homelands, New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken a prominent role in supporting humanitarian efforts. She co-led a group of 16 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief aimed at defending the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s humanitarian parole programs. These programs are designed to provide temporary relief to immigrants who arrive in the U.S. under severe duress from their countries of origin.

The action comes in response to an Executive Order issued on January 20 by the Trump administration, which directed the termination of these vital parole programs. This order effectively halted the processing of new applications and disrupted the ongoing status adjustments of current parolees.

The coalition, through their legal brief filed in the case of Doe v. Noem, has urged the court to issue a preliminary injunction against the administration’s directive. They argue that the sudden cessation of these programs has thrown the lives of tens of thousands of immigrants into turmoil and poses a serious threat to the stability of community and family structures across the country.

Attorney General James expressed deep concern for the wellbeing of these vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of the parole pathways in fostering economic contributions and social integration.

“Vulnerable immigrants fleeing violence deserve protection, families seeking stability deserve to be kept together, and new Americans seeking better opportunities deserve to be able to contribute to local economies throughout the nation,” she stated.

James highlighted that discontinuing the programs would not only force individuals back to life-threatening conditions but also significantly impact the labor markets that depend on these workers.

These parole pathways have historically enabled a diverse group of immigrants, including those from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, to legally remain in the U.S. temporarily and contribute to the workforce. In her address, James pointed out the critical economic roles these individuals play, particularly in states like New York, where immigrants constitute a substantial portion of the workforce in key sectors.

The brief also outlines the severe repercussions of ending such programs, noting the disruption to family reunifications and the increased risk of deportation for current parolees to their conflict-ridden nations. Such actions would not only undermine public safety but also lead to increased costs for states due to the loss of economic contributions and tax revenues from these immigrant communities.

Joining New York in this legal challenge are attorneys general from a spectrum of states including California, New Jersey, and Illinois, among others. These states represent a broad coalition standing united in their commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of immigrants against what they view as unjust federal measures.

Attorney General James has been a vocal and active participant in defending the rights of immigrants. Earlier in the month, she led efforts to protect Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans and has been involved in several legal victories that uphold fundamental immigration rights, such as birthright citizenship. Her continuous advocacy underscores a dedicated approach to ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the protection and opportunities they rightfully deserve in the face of adversity.