Laredo, Texas – A federal judge in Texas temporarily halted the Biden administration from granting legal status to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens. The ruling came in response to a request from 16 Republican-led states challenging the new policy.
The order from District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker effectively puts a stop to an immigration program that had just launched last week. This program aimed to provide legal status to an estimated half a million immigrants living in the U.S. without proper documentation. It marks an early setback for President Biden in one of his key immigration initiatives, which has become a focal point in the 2024 presidential race.
The program, known as Keeping Families Together, allows unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens to apply for temporary work permits and deportation protections under the parole immigration benefit. To be eligible, applicants must have lived in the country for at least 10 years, passed background checks, and not have felony convictions.
One of the main features of this program is providing a streamlined pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship for eligible immigrants. Under current U.S. law, immigrants can obtain a green card by marrying an American citizen, but those who entered the country illegally typically face barriers to this process.
The Biden administration argues that the initiative promotes family unity and offers a solution to the long-standing issue faced by many mixed-status families. However, Texas and other Republican-controlled states filed a lawsuit claiming that the policy encourages illegal immigration and misuses parole authority in immigration processes.
In response to the legal challenge, Judge Barker issued an order prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security from granting parole to applicants under the Keeping Families Together policy. While the order is temporary, federal officials have paused approving cases under the program but will continue accepting applications.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Naree Ketudat stated that the agency is complying with the court’s decision while defending Keeping Families Together. The future of this program and its impact on immigrant families in the U.S. remains uncertain as legal proceedings unfold.