A federal judge in Texas has temporarily suspended a new Biden administration immigration program designed to protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of United States (US) citizens from deportation.
The 14-day stay, issued on Monday, August 26, follows a lawsuit filed by 16 Republican led states challenging the program.
The Keeping Families Together program, which began last week, is designed for individuals who have lived in the US for at least ten years and would grant them legal work permits.
Surveys indicate that immigration is a major issue for many voters as the November presidential election approaches.
When the White House unveiled the new program in June, officials estimated that over 500,000 spouses would qualify.
They also said that the policy would assist 50,000 individuals under 21 who have a parent married to a US citizen.
The announcement represented the largest relief program for undocumented migrants in the US since the Obama administration introduced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012.
The temporarily suspended program would have allowed undocumented spouses of US citizens to qualify if they had lived in the country for ten years and were married as of June 17.
Eligible individuals will have three years to apply for permanent residency and can receive a three year work permit.
Unlike the previous system, which required applicants to leave the US to apply, the new plan allows them to stay in the country while seeking legal status.
Judge J. Campbell Barker’s order on Monday, August 26, suspends the plan for two weeks while the court reviews the case, with the possibility of an extension.
While the Department of Homeland Security can continue accepting applications, it is prohibited from processing them during this period.
“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Judge Barker, who was appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, wrote in his order.
Texas Attorney applauded the order, writing on social media: “This is just the first step. We are going to keep fighting for Texas, our country, and the rule of law.”
Critics of the Biden plan contend that it provides amnesty to migrants who entered the country illegally.
Supporters, on the other hand, argue that it will keep families united, contrasting it with the previous system, which they claim separates families.
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