By Agency Report
A Texas judge has issued a temporary pause on a key immigration policy introduced by President Joe Biden, which aimed to streamline the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status. This ruling represents a significant setback for one of Biden’s major immigration reform initiatives.
The ruling was handed down on Monday by Judge J. Campbell Barker, following a lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general from 16 U.S. states. The lawsuit challenges the legality of the policy, which Biden announced in June 2024. The policy was designed to create a more straightforward pathway to citizenship for approximately 500,000 immigrants married to U.S. nationals.
The 16 states involved in the lawsuit argue that the policy imposes significant financial burdens on them, including increased costs for healthcare, education, and law enforcement services used by the immigrants.
In his order, Judge Barker emphasized that the claims made in the lawsuit are substantial and deserve more thorough consideration. As a result, he granted a 14-day administrative stay, temporarily halting the implementation of the policy.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, one of the plaintiffs, welcomed the decision, vowing to continue fighting the Biden administration’s immigration reforms. He stated on social media that this ruling is only the first step in their legal battle.
The Biden administration has been facing significant challenges in addressing immigration, a deeply polarizing issue in the United States. As the country approaches the November presidential election, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to face Republican Donald Trump, immigration remains a central topic of debate.
The halted policy aimed to simplify the legal process for those already eligible for permanent residence by eliminating the requirement to leave the country as part of their application. The policy applied to individuals who have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years and were married to a U.S. citizen before June 17, 2024. It also extended to an estimated 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens.
Despite the court ruling, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that while they would continue accepting applications, they would not grant any new approvals until the stay is lifted. Applications approved before the stay will not be affected.
The Justice Action Center, an immigrant rights group, criticized the ruling as an “extreme measure.” The group’s founder, Karen Tumlin, expressed disappointment, noting that Texas had not provided any concrete evidence that the policy would harm the state. She emphasized the heartbreak felt by the thousands of couples who hoped to benefit from the policy and avoid the fear of family separation.
The court has set an expedited hearing schedule for the case, with Judge Barker indicating that the stay may be extended while the legal proceedings continue.