A Democrat-aligned federal judge in Boston indicated Friday that she intends to temporarily block the Trump administration’s decision to terminate a parole program that has allowed certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to live and work in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, an Obama appointee, said during a January 10 hearing that she expects to issue a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending the Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program.

The FRP is scheduled to expire on January 14, 2026.

The program currently applies to more than 10,000 individuals from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras.

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While acknowledging that the executive branch has the legal authority to terminate parole programs, Talwani raised concerns about the process used to carry out the decision.

She questioned whether participants received adequate notice beyond a posting in the Federal Register.

Talwani asked the government to provide evidence that affected individuals were directly notified by letter or email, according to reporting from The Hill.

The administration defended its actions, arguing that parole is inherently temporary and may be revoked at any time.

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Government attorney Katie Rose Talley told the court that the termination was lawful and within the discretion of Homeland Security officials.

The FRP program, created under the Biden administration, allowed certain foreign nationals with approved family-based immigration petitions to enter the U.S. temporarily while awaiting permanent status.

Plaintiffs in the case argue that many participants have established employment, enrolled children in school, and otherwise complied with U.S. law while relying on the program’s protections.

In court filings, the plaintiffs asked that any ruling apply broadly to all FRP beneficiaries, not just the five individuals named in the lawsuit.

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Their motion states that parole recipients came to the U.S. with the expectation of beginning lawful lives while their immigration cases progressed.

The administration has argued that ending the program is consistent with its broader immigration enforcement priorities.

Kristi Noem, as Homeland Security secretary, has the authority to terminate parole initiatives.

Officials have also maintained that notice through the Federal Register satisfies legal requirements.

Talwani expressed concern for individuals who, she said, were attempting to comply with the law as written.

“I have a group of people who are trying to follow the law,” the judge said during the hearing, according to reports.

The case is the latest legal challenge to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

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Trump’s policies have included rolling back temporary protections created under previous administrations.

Courts have issued mixed rulings in similar disputes, reflecting ongoing tensions between executive authority and procedural requirements.

A formal written order from Talwani is expected in the coming days.

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