11/08/2024
šÆ On Thursday, a federal judge struck down a administration initiative aimed at providing unauthorized immigrants, married to U.S. citizens, with a pathway to legal status. U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, appointed by former President , ruled the program unlawful, siding with and other -led states in their lawsuit against the initiative.
The ruling is a significant defeat for the outgoing Biden administration. The program, known as "Keeping Families Together," was designed to keep mixed-status families united by offering undocumented deportation protections, work permits, and a streamlined route to citizenship. Launched earlier this year, the program was expected to benefit approximately 500,000 immigrants, providing them with green cards after meeting specific criteria, such as residing in the U.S. for 10 years without committing serious crimes.
One of the program's key features allowed undocumented immigrants to bypass a rule requiring them to leave the U.S. and re-enter legally to qualify for a green card. Many families avoid this option because leaving the U.S. after living unlawfully can trigger bans from returning for several years.
In his decision, Judge Barker argued that the Biden administration did not have the legal authority to grant parole to unauthorized immigrants already residing in the country. This ruling deals a significant blow to the Biden administration's immigration policy and is likely to face further challenges, particularly from the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged to dismantle Biden's policies and intensify immigration enforcement.
The Justice Department may appeal the ruling, but the future of the Keeping Families Together program remains uncertain, as Trump has vowed to prioritize border security and large-scale .