Trump-appointed judge halts path to citizenship of over half a million immigrants
US Immigration
A Texas federal judge temporarily blocked on Monday (August 26) a Biden administration order that could effectively give citizenship to up to half a million undocumented immigrants married to US citizens. A total of 16 Republican-led states had sued the Biden administration for the program.
Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued an administrative stay. This stay stops the Biden administration from approving these citizenship applications.
The administration began accepting such applications last week based on the merits of the case.
What did the federal judge say?
Judge Barker while suspending the initiative said that the 67-page complaint filed last week raised legitimate questions about the authority of the executive branch to bypass Congress and set immigration policy.
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"The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date." wrote Judge Barker who wasappointed by former US President Donald Trump.
The suspension of the policy will remain in place for two weeks and is subject to extension.
US immigration policy 2024: What next?
The Biden administration can continue to accept applications for the program but can no longer approve them, according to Judge Barker's order.
The Biden administration's latest immigration program, called Keeping Families Together, has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans led by Donald Trump.
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In the lawsuit, the Republican-led states said that the program appears to be an "amnesty" for immigrants who entered the United States unlawfully.
What is Biden administration's Keeping Family Together programme?
The program eases legalisation for undocumented people who are married to Americans and have been living in the United States for more than 10 years. The potential beneficiaries have been in the country for 23 years, on average, according to the Homeland Security Department.
While marrying a US citizen is enough for a pathway to the US citizenship, the individuals who cross the southern border illegally are required to return to their home countries to complete the green card process.
(With inputs from agencies)