- Texas judge blocks Biden plan for migrant spouses
- The plan would block many undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation
- The pause in Biden’s plan was issued in response to a lawsuit by 16 Republican-led states
- Critics say Biden’s plan offers amnesty for illegal migrants, supporters say it keeps families together
Texas judge blocks Biden plan for migrant spouses
A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked a new immigration program introduced by the Biden administration that could protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation. The 14-day stay, issued in response to a lawsuit by 16 Republican-led states, halts the “Keeping Families Together” program, which began last week.
The program aims to allow undocumented spouses who have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years to work legally and avoid deportation. The White House announced in June that the policy could benefit over 500,000 spouses and 50,000 people under 21 whose parents are married to U.S. citizens.
Judge J. Campbell Barker’s order pauses the program while the court reviews the case, but it may be extended. During this period, the Department of Homeland Security can receive applications but cannot process them.
Critics argue the program provides amnesty for those who entered the U.S. illegally, while supporters say it keeps families together and addresses the issues of family separation under the previous system.
Recent polling shows immigration remains the biggest concern for voters ahead of the November election.