By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A federal judge has struck down the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” program, which aimed to streamline the path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. The ruling, which was based on a lawsuit filed by Texas and other Republican-led states, found the program violated U.S. immigration law. The program would have allowed eligible immigrants to apply for a green card without having to leave the country, effectively cancelling out their illegal entry. This ruling is a major setback for the Biden administration and is likely to be further challenged by the incoming Trump administration, which has pledged to dismantle the president’s immigration policies.
Read the original article here
A federal judge has ruled that a Biden administration program aimed at providing legal status and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to American citizens is illegal. This decision, made by Judge J. Campbell Barker, a Trump appointee, has been met with a mixed reaction. Some see it as a major blow to the Biden administration’s immigration policies, while others view it as a necessary step to uphold existing immigration law.
The program, known as Keeping Families Together, was designed to promote family unity and alleviate the hardships faced by mixed-status families. The Biden administration argued that the program was essential for maintaining family stability and that it would benefit both the immigrants and their American citizen spouses. However, the Justice Department, under the Trump administration, argued that the program violated US immigration law, citing concerns about the program’s potential for abuse and its impact on border security.
The lawsuit, filed by Texas and other Republican-led states, claimed that the program circumvented established immigration procedures and that it would lead to a surge in undocumented immigration. The judge agreed, finding that the program violated US immigration law and was therefore illegal. This ruling marks a significant victory for the Trump administration, which has consistently opposed the Biden administration’s efforts to loosen immigration restrictions.
The decision has sparked heated debate, with some expressing concern about the impact on families and the potential for increased deportations. Others have applauded the ruling, arguing that it upholds the rule of law and protects national security.
The ruling has also raised questions about the future of the program, which was expected to benefit roughly half a million undocumented immigrants. The Biden administration has the option of appealing the decision, but the program’s fate remains uncertain.
The ruling is just one of many legal challenges facing the Biden administration’s immigration policies. The administration has been trying to reverse many of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including the construction of the border wall and the separation of families at the border. However, it has faced resistance from Republican-led states and federal courts.
The ongoing legal battles highlight the deeply polarized political landscape surrounding immigration in the US. The ruling is a reminder of the complexity and sensitivity surrounding immigration issues and the challenges facing policymakers in finding solutions that balance national security, economic growth, and humanitarian concerns.