A federal judge in Texas has temporarily suspended President Joe Biden’s new U.S. citizenship pathway for immigrant spouses, causing confusion and frustration among families who were hoping to benefit from the program. The program, known as “Keeping Families Together,” was designed to ease the path to citizenship for an estimated 500,000 immigrants in the U.S. Families who had already applied are now in limbo, while those who were planning to apply must weigh their options while waiting for Republicans’ court challenge to play out. The court order, which will be in place for 14 days but could be extended, followed a challenge by 16 states led by Republican attorneys general.
Applicants must pay a $580 processing fee to apply for the program. The Florida Immigrant Coalition is advising people to make the best decision for their families during this time of uncertainty. President Biden criticized the ruling, stating that these families should not be needlessly separated. The states challenging the program accused the administration of bypassing Congress for “blatant political purposes.” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton applauded the order and stated that they would keep fighting for Texas, the country, and the rule of law.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that the government would continue to accept applications and defend the program in court. Any applicants whose parole was granted prior to the order will not be affected. However, the department did not provide information on the number of applications received or approved under the program. Immigration attorney Laura Flores-Perilla described the impact of the temporary pause as significant, causing uncertainty and fear for families like Oscar Silva and his American citizen wife, Natalie. Silva expressed his disappointment and uncertainty about the future, as the program was their opportunity to go through the citizenship process together without the fear of separation.
Advocates and lawyers are concerned about the chaos and uncertainty created by the temporary suspension of the program. The American Immigration Lawyers Association held webinars to educate lawyers about the program, with a high number of attendees expressing concern and seeking clarification on the implications of the court order. Families like Roberto García and his wife Maria in Los Angeles are facing financial strain and emotional distress due to the halt on the program. Roberto, the sole provider for his family, was in the process of applying for the program when the order was issued. Maria is losing hope and considering moving to Mexico, where they believe they may have a better chance at a stable future.
While the program offered hope for immigrant families to seek permanent residency and work authorization, the uncertainty caused by the court order has left many in limbo. Families are now contemplating their next steps and considering the impact of the program’s suspension on their future in the United States. The temporary halt on the program is a setback for many immigrant families who had hoped for a smoother path to citizenship under President Biden’s administration. As the legal battle continues, families like Silva’s and García’s are left in a state of uncertainty and anxiety about what the future holds for their immigration status.
