California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an amicus brief as part of a multistate coalition in the case of Svitlana Doe, et al., v. Kristi Noem, et al. The brief supports pathways to humanitarian parole that allow certain vulnerable immigrants to legally enter and remain in the United States to apply for temporary or permanent immigration status. This legal action comes after President Trump directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to terminate these pathways, affecting Afghans who supported U.S. interests abroad, Ukrainians displaced by Russia's invasion, and Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans fleeing dangerous conditions.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "Since taking office, President Trump has waged war on immigrants who are in this country legally – American-born children, refugees displaced by war or disaster at home, individuals who have fled from political instability or violence, and those who provided assistance to the U.S. military at great personal risk." He further emphasized that terminating these pathways threatens immigrant families' lives and deprives states like California of significant economic benefits.
The Biden Administration had implemented initiatives such as the Uniting for Ukraine parole pathway and Operation Allies Welcome to support vulnerable populations from Ukraine and Afghanistan respectively. However, under President Trump's directive earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security ceased processing new applications for parole pathways and barred current parolees from applying for other forms of immigration status.
Immigrant households significantly contribute to California's economy. In 2023 alone, they paid $61.8 billion in state and local taxes while spending $404.4 billion locally. Immigrants also make up nearly one-third of California’s labor force.
The multistate coalition argues that ending these parole pathways would harm states economically by preventing contributions from immigrants in critical industries facing labor shortages. It also stresses the negative impact on families forced back into dangerous conditions.
Joining Attorney General Bonta in filing the brief are attorneys general from New York, Illinois, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts Minnesota New Jersey Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.