Biden immigration policy/ undocumented spouses/ deportation relief/ U.S. immigration law/ Keeping Families Together program/ Trump immigration stance/ Newslooks/ TEXAS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge struck down a Biden administration program designed to protect undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation. The initiative, aimed at allowing immigrants to apply for green cards without leaving the country, had been put on hold in August amid legal challenges. The ruling heightens uncertainty for immigrant families, especially as President-elect Trump prepares to take office with a stricter immigration stance.
“Judge Halts Biden Immigration Program for Spouses Quick Looks”
- Program Blocked by Court: A federal judge in Texas ruled that Biden’s program to protect undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens exceeded legal authority.
- Temporary Protection for Spouses and Children: The program allowed undocumented spouses and stepchildren to apply for green cards without leaving the U.S.
- Legal Challenge from GOP-Led States: Texas and 15 other states argued that the program bypassed Congress and could lead to higher state costs.
- Trump’s Win Complicates Immigration Future: Trump’s upcoming term raises concerns over stricter policies on undocumented individuals.
- Eligibility Criteria: The program applied to undocumented spouses married by June 17, allowing them to seek work authorization and eventual residency.
Judge Blocks Biden’s Program Shielding Immigrant Spouses from Deportation
Deep Look
A federal judge has struck down a Biden administration program designed to offer deportation relief to undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens, creating renewed uncertainty for immigrant families as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. The program, known as “Keeping Families Together,” allowed certain undocumented family members to apply for green cards without first having to leave the United States, easing the lengthy and often painful separation process faced by immigrant families.
The initiative was halted on Thursday by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker in Texas, who ruled that the Biden administration exceeded its legal authority in implementing the program. In his ruling, Barker stated that the administration’s interpretation of immigration law “stretched past its breaking point.” This decision formalizes an earlier pause imposed by Barker in August, which occurred just days after thousands of applicants had submitted paperwork under the program. The court’s ruling came after a legal challenge led by Texas and 15 other Republican-led states, who argued that the initiative was a politically motivated bypass of Congressional authority.
The Biden program, estimated to benefit as many as 500,000 immigrants, provided a temporary solution for families navigating complex immigration laws. It allowed undocumented spouses and children to remain in the U.S. while applying for green cards if they had lived continuously in the country for at least 10 years and had no security risk. Eligible individuals married to U.S. citizens as of June 17, one day before the program’s launch, could pay a $580 application fee and apply for humanitarian parole, which would give them three years to work toward permanent residency.
Although Biden’s administration celebrated the initiative as a major move to support immigrant families, Judge Barker’s ruling halts the program amid broader political shifts. President-elect Trump’s recent victory and his firm anti-immigration stance have heightened concerns among advocates that U.S. immigration policies will become increasingly restrictive. During his campaign, Trump promised to intensify deportations and criticized policies that he claimed incentivize illegal immigration.
Judge Barker’s court falls within the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a preferred venue for conservative legal challenges. Trump appointed Barker to the bench during his first term, and this background has fueled ongoing discussions around judicial partisanship in cases impacting national immigration policies. In their legal arguments, Texas and other states contended that the program would lead to significant state-level costs and could draw more migrants to the U.S., adding to their fiscal burdens.
The court’s ruling emphasizes the tension surrounding U.S. immigration reform. Critics argue that Biden’s “Keeping Families Together” program introduced a path to legal status without the checks and balances of Congressional approval. Proponents, however, see it as an essential move to alleviate hardships for families caught in a convoluted legal process. Currently, undocumented spouses seeking legal status are required to return to their home countries to complete the application process, which often results in years-long separations from their U.S.-based family members.
As Trump’s administration prepares to take office, immigrant families face further uncertainty. Trump has signaled intentions to tighten immigration enforcement, including mass deportations of undocumented individuals. The court’s decision now leaves families wondering if any provisions for spousal relief will remain in place.
The Biden administration has not yet indicated if it will pursue an appeal. As U.S. immigration policy becomes a focal point for both federal and state governments, the “Keeping Families Together” program and its judicial block reflect a larger clash over how far executive power extends in shaping immigration laws. For now, undocumented spouses and their families will have to await further guidance on whether the program, or any similar provisions, will be restored.
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