US Court Restores Legal Status for Migrants After Policy Reversal

A US federal court has ruled that the administration of Donald Trump acted beyond its authority by cancelling the legal status of migrants who entered the country through a government mobile application introduced during the presidency of Joe Biden.

The decision found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) improperly ended temporary legal protections granted to migrants who used the CBP One app to cross the southern border. Under the earlier policy, these individuals were allowed to stay in the United States for a limited period and were eligible to work while their asylum cases were processed.

Nearly 900,000 migrants were impacted when the programme was discontinued. Authorities had also begun using the same application to encourage voluntary departures from the country.

Judge Allison Skye Borroughs stated that the termination of these protections did not follow proper legal procedures and went beyond the powers granted to the agency. As a result, the court ordered that affected individuals should have their legal status reinstated.

The policy change had created uncertainty for many migrants, as official notices warned them to leave the country or face deportation if they did not secure another lawful basis to remain. Work permits linked to the programme were also withdrawn.

The legal challenge was supported by advocacy organisations, including Democracy Forward, along with community representatives such as the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts. They argued that the sudden decision placed thousands of people at risk of losing their legal standing overnight.

While the ruling provides temporary relief, it does not ensure long-term residency, as the original permission to stay in the US was limited in duration. Some migrants may still face uncertainty as their authorised stay periods expire.

The US government is expected to challenge the ruling in a higher court, continuing ongoing disputes over immigration policies.