A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden administration from granting legal status to unauthorized immigrants married to American citizens. This decision comes in response to a request from 16 Republican-led states who challenged the new policy. The order by District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker effectively puts a halt to a large immigration program that opened just last week, offering relief to an estimated half a million immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.
The program in question, known as Keeping Families Together, was announced as a measure to address the plight of undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years in legal limbo. It allows unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens, who have lived in the country for at least 10 years and pass background checks, to apply for temporary work permits and deportation protections under an immigration benefit known as parole. The program also extends to the undocumented stepchildren of U.S. citizens, with those having felony convictions being ineligible for the process.
One of the key aspects of the program is that it provides a streamlined pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship for eligible immigrants. While immigrants can obtain a green card by marrying an American citizen, U.S. law typically requires those who entered the country illegally to leave and re-enter legally to be eligible for a green card. This process can trigger a 3- or 10-year ban from the U.S., dissuading many mixed-status families from pursuing this option.
The Biden administration has defended the initiative as promoting family unity in households that include U.S. citizens. However, Texas and other Republican-led states have argued in a lawsuit that the policy rewards illegal immigration. They claim that the policy misuses the immigration parole authority and have challenged nearly every major immigration move made by the Biden administration.
District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker, appointed by former President Donald Trump, issued an administrative order on Monday prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security from granting parole to those applying for the Keeping Families Together policy. While the order is currently valid for 14 days, Barker has hinted that it could be extended. Despite the prohibition on granting parole, federal officials can continue to accept applications under the program.
In conclusion, the temporary block on the Biden administration’s immigration policy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration reform in the United States. While the administration aims to address the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants living in legal limbo, opposition from Republican-led states underscores the deep political divide on this issue. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the future of immigration policy and the lives of countless individuals seeking a path to legal status in the U.S.