Federal Judge Halts Biden-Harris Administration's "Parole In Place" Program For Undocumented Immigrants

A federal judge in Texas thwarted the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to establish a “parole in place” program on Monday. This program would have provided a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are married to American citizens. According to Just The News, this decision was the outcome of a lawsuit filed by a group of 16 Republican-led states, with Texas at the helm. The lawsuit aimed to halt the program, arguing that its establishment was an illegal circumvention of Congress for “political purposes.”

Judge J. Campbell Barker's Decision

U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker sided with the group of states, issuing a temporary suspension of the program for a minimum of two weeks while he considers the plaintiffs' argument. Barker stated in his opinion, “The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date.”

Details of the "Parole in Place" Program

The “Parole in Place” program was initiated just the previous week. It permitted undocumented immigrants married to American citizens to legally stay in the country while they apply for green cards. The prerequisites for this include a minimum of 10 years of residence in the U.S., no criminal record, and being married to a citizen by June 17th. In the past, undocumented immigrants who were married to Americans could apply for green cards but were required to leave the country during the application process, which could span several years. The other 15 states participating in the lawsuit, alongside Texas, are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming.

Bottom Line

This recent development in immigration policy demonstrates the ongoing tension and debate surrounding the issue. The Biden-Harris administration's attempt to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens has been met with resistance, leading to a temporary halt of the program. This raises questions about the future of immigration reform and the role of the judiciary in shaping policy. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.