Texas Judge Halts Biden’s Immigration Reform Policy with Temporary Stay
Texas, The Gulf Observer: A Texas judge has issued a temporary pause on a key immigration policy introduced by President Joe Biden, dealing a significant setback to one of the administration’s most ambitious immigration reform initiatives. On Monday, Judge J. Campbell Barker granted a 14-day administrative stay in response to a lawsuit brought by the Republican attorneys general of 16 states, challenging the Biden administration’s policy that sought to streamline the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status.
The policy, announced by President Biden in June, was designed to simplify the pathway to citizenship for an estimated half a million immigrants married to U.S. nationals. The 16 states involved in the lawsuit argue that the policy imposes substantial financial burdens on them, citing costs related to public services such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement for immigrants.
In his order, Judge Barker acknowledged the significance of the claims brought by the plaintiffs, stating, “The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date.” The ruling suspends the granting of “parole in place” status, which would have allowed eligible immigrants to remain in the United States while applying for a green card. However, the court has allowed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to continue accepting applications for the status, with the caveat that none will be granted until the stay is lifted.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose state is a party to the case, welcomed the ruling, stating on social media platform X, “This is just the first step. We are going to keep fighting for Texas, our country, and the rule of law.”
The Biden administration’s immigration reforms come at a time when immigration remains a deeply divisive issue in the United States, particularly as the country approaches the November presidential election. The Democratic Party faces the challenge of balancing tougher measures on irregular migration with efforts to reform the nation’s complex and often inefficient immigration system.
Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking to return to the White House, has focused his campaign on portraying the United States as being overwhelmed by what he calls a migrant “invasion.” The new rules, which are now temporarily halted, would have streamlined the process for those who already qualify for permanent residence, removing the requirement for applicants to leave the country as part of the process.
Immigrant rights groups have expressed deep concern over the court’s decision. Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Center, described the order as an “extreme measure,” adding, “To halt a process for which Texas has not been able to provide an iota of evidence that it would harm the state is baffling.” The group had filed a motion earlier on Monday seeking to intervene in the lawsuit to defend the program.
While the court has expedited the hearing schedule for the case, Judge Barker indicated that the temporary stay may be extended as legal proceedings continue.
