Trump administration revokes parole for 6,300 terror watchlist individuals amidst a sweeping national security crackdown, while federal courts push back on legal grounds.

At a Glance

• The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered 6,300 paroled foreign nationals with criminal histories or on the terrorist watchlist who entered under Biden-era programs
• Trump administration immediately revoked their parole status as part of broader immigration enforcement measures
• Many affected individuals had received government benefits including Medicaid and federal student loans
• A federal judge has already halted the administration’s attempt to end the CHNV parole program for 500,000 immigrants
• Legal challenges are mounting against multiple aspects of Trump’s immigration executive actions

Immigration Enforcement Based on DOGE Findings

The Trump administration has revoked parole for 6,300 foreign nationals who were found to be on the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center watchlist or had significant criminal records. This action follows an investigation by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which determined these individuals had been admitted under Biden-era immigration programs. The revocation represents one component of the administration’s broader effort to tighten border security and immigration controls implemented through multiple executive actions since taking office.

According to DOGE, these paroled individuals received various government benefits despite questionable background checks. The report highlighted that many had obtained social security numbers, which then enabled access to Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and federal student loans. The Department of Homeland Security has defended the revocations as legally sound and necessary for national security, with officials citing existing statutory authority to terminate parole status for individuals deemed security risks.

Broader Immigration Enforcement Measures

The parole revocations represent just one facet of the administration’s comprehensive immigration enforcement approach. President Trump has signed multiple executive orders designating the southern border situation as a national emergency. These actions include plans to suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, discontinue the CBP One app that had facilitated border appointments, and revoke parole for approximately 985,000 individuals who entered under that system.

“Our southern border is overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans”, says President Trump.

The administration has also directed the classification of criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which would allow for prosecution of individuals providing them with material support. Military deployment to the border is anticipated under the emergency declaration, with authority for enhanced deportation procedures given to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. The executive actions further aim to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy despite reported opposition from Mexican authorities.

Legal Challenges to Parole Revocations

The administration’s immigration policies have already encountered significant legal obstacles. A U.S. District Judge halted the administration’s attempt to terminate the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program, which would have affected approximately 500,000 individuals. The judicial ruling questioned whether proper procedures were followed in revoking parole and if the action provided adequate due process to those affected.

According to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson: “Under federal law, Secretary [Kristi] Noem — in support of the president — has full authority to revoke parole. Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security.”

Legal experts anticipate additional challenges to other aspects of the administration’s immigration agenda, particularly the attempt to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status. Constitutional scholars have noted this would require reinterpreting the 14th Amendment, which has traditionally been understood to grant citizenship to anyone born on American soil regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The administration appears prepared for extended legal battles over these policies, signaling its commitment to defending them through the court system.

Security Implications and Policy Objectives

Administration officials have emphasized the national security dimensions of these immigration enforcement measures. The parole revocations target individuals specifically flagged through terrorist watchlists or with documented criminal histories. However, immigrant rights advocates have questioned the accuracy of these determinations and whether affected individuals received proper notification or opportunity to appeal their status change. Department officials maintain that the revocations fall within executive authority and are necessary to address security vulnerabilities.

According to a Department of Government Efficiency announcement: “Under the Biden administration, it was routine for Border Patrol to admit aliens into the United States with no legal status and minimal screening. So far, [Customs and Border Protection] identified a subset of 6.3k individuals paroled into the United States since 2023 on the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center watchlist or with criminal records. These paroles have since been terminated with immediate effect.”

The administration has instructed the attorney general to seek the death penalty for certain crimes committed by individuals without legal status, signaling a hardline approach to immigration enforcement. These directives, combined with the parole revocations and border security measures, demonstrate the administration’s determination to implement significant changes to immigration policy despite anticipated judicial restraints and constitutional challenges. The ongoing legal confrontations will likely shape the ultimate impact of these measures on national immigration policy.