Attorney General Kwame Raoul of Illinois and Attorney General Letitia James of New York have led a group of 16 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief. This brief supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) parole pathways, which are crucial for vulnerable immigrants fleeing perilous situations in their home countries.
The move comes after an executive order issued on January 20 by the Trump administration, directing DHS to end humanitarian parole programs. Consequently, DHS ceased processing new applications for these pathways and restricted current parolees from applying for other temporary or permanent immigration statuses. The coalition's brief seeks a preliminary injunction against these actions, arguing they disrupt the lives of many legal immigrants and pose risks to communities and families.
Attorney General Raoul expressed his commitment to immigrant support: "I am the proud son of Haitian immigrants who, like so many immigrants, worked diligently to better their community," he stated. He emphasized the importance of providing safe harbor to those escaping hazardous conditions globally.
The coalition highlighted that Afghans aiding U.S. interests abroad at personal risk, Ukrainians displaced by Russia's invasion, and individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela rely on these processes for eventual permanent residency. These groups contribute significantly to the workforce and local economies through taxes and spending power. Ending parole pathways could remove vital economic contributions and raise public safety concerns.
Parole pathways enable newly arrived immigrants to work in the United States while awaiting decisions on their permanent residence requests. In 2023 alone, immigrant-led households in Illinois contributed $10.6 billion in state and local taxes with a spending power totaling $68.5 billion; they also comprised 18.5% of the labor force.
The attorneys general argue that shutting down these pathways would separate families, impede reunification efforts, and put current parolees at risk of being sent back to unsafe conditions.
Joining Raoul and James in this legal action are attorneys general from California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington State, and Wisconsin.