Court Suspends Biden Immigration Policy for US Citizens Spouses

A Texas judge has temporarily halted a key immigration policy introduced by President Joe Biden that aimed to streamline the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status. Judge J. Campbell Barker issued a 14-day administrative stay in response to a lawsuit filed by the Republican attorneys general of 16 states. These states argue that the policy, which could benefit approximately half a million immigrants, imposes significant financial burdens on them through increased public service costs such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement. The Biden administration's policy, announced in June, was designed to simplify the path to citizenship for immigrants married to U.S. citizens by removing the requirement for them to leave the country during the application process. The policy also covered about 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens, offering work authorization and the right to remain in the country while applying for a green card.

Despite the temporary suspension of the "parole in place" status, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that it would continue to accept applications, though no approvals will be granted until the stay is lifted. The court has scheduled an expedited hearing but hinted that the stay could be extended as the case progresses.

Immigrant rights groups have criticized the ruling, calling it an "extreme measure" that could lead to family separations. The Justice Action Center, which filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit, expressed disappointment, emphasizing the lack of evidence provided by Texas to justify the halt. This court ruling represents a significant setback for Biden's immigration reform efforts, as the administration grapples with the politically sensitive issue ahead of the upcoming presidential election.