On January 10, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the termination of the Family Reunification Permit (FRP) program in the case Svitlana Doe v. NoemThis court order prevents the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending the program for eligible nationals from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and El Salvador.

The Family Residency Program (FRP) grants temporary permission to remain in the United States and work authorization to more than 10,000 family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents while they await permanent legal status through family-based immigration processes. Under this program, eligible beneficiaries can legally enter or remain in the United States and work while their immigrant visa petitions are being processed.

The DHS had announced it would begin terminating these permits on January 14, 2026. However, the court determined that there is a high probability the government did not follow the required legal procedures when deciding to revoke the permits. In particular, the court concluded that the DHS likely failed to provide the proper notice required by its own regulations and the Administrative Procedure Act.

As a result, the temporary restraining order prohibits DHS from taking any action to terminate FRP program permits during the period covered by the court order. Currently, the TRO is in effect until January 24, 2026. During this time, individuals with valid FRP permits and employment authorization will continue to be protected and authorized to work.

The court could extend this order or issue new provisions after January 24, 2026, depending on how the case progresses. For now, the ruling provides temporary relief and legal protection to thousands of families who rely on the Family Reunification Program (FRP) to stay together while they seek legal permanent residency.