The Biden administration’s efforts to provide a pathway to citizenship for certain illegal immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens have been temporarily halted by a federal judge following a lawsuit from 16 Republican-led states. U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker issued a stay on the “parole in place” program, which allows for humanitarian parole and a path to permanent residency for select illegal immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens without the need for them to leave the country. The states, led by Texas and America First Legal, argued that the rule violates federal law, which prohibits illegal immigrants from obtaining immigration benefits without first leaving the country and being readmitted.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton expressed concerns about the program, stating that it would reward over 1 million illegal aliens with a path to citizenship after breaking the country’s laws and incentivize others to do the same. The administration had estimated that around 500,000 immigrants would benefit from the program, along with approximately 50,000 children. The new process would have applied to noncitizen spouses who have lived in the U.S. for 10 years as of June and are judged not to pose a threat to public safety or national security, allowing them to apply for permanent residency. The stay will last for two weeks but could be extended, and Barker emphasized that the claims against the program warrant closer consideration.
The Department of Homeland Security, which had been implementing the program, did not immediately respond to the judge’s decision but previously stated that it would defend the policy in court. In a statement, the White House accused Republican officials of prioritizing politics over helping American families or fixing the broken immigration system. The White House emphasized the importance of keeping families together and enabling eligible families of U.S. citizens to live without fear of separation. The lawsuit against the program was criticized by the White House for going against the nation’s values and seeking to separate American citizens from their eligible spouses and stepchildren.
The administration’s efforts to provide a pathway to citizenship for certain illegal immigrant spouses have been met with legal challenges from Republican-led states, raising concerns about the constitutionality of the program. The program, which aimed to help families who have lived in fear and uncertainty about their future due to immigration requirements, faced opposition from states arguing that it violates federal law. The lawsuit against the program aims to prevent U.S. citizens and their families from being forced to live in the shadows and separate them from eligible family members. The White House has vowed to vigorously defend the program, continue securing the border, and enforce immigration laws to address the ongoing immigration crisis.
Despite the legal challenges and opposition from 16 states, the Biden administration remains committed to providing a pathway to citizenship for certain illegal immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens. The administration argues that the program is grounded in established legal authority and is consistent with fundamental American values of keeping families together. The White House accuses Republican officials of obstructing efforts to make the immigration system fair and just, while highlighting the decrease in encounters between ports of entry due to President Biden’s executive actions to secure the border. The legal battle surrounding the program highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States and the efforts to address the needs of immigrant families while ensuring national security and compliance with federal law.
