Texas and Coalition of Republican-Led States Sue Biden Administration Over Initiative to Legalize Undocumented Immigrants
Texas and Coalition of Republican-Led States Sue Biden Administration Over New Citizenship Program for Immigrants
Washington, D.C.: On Friday, Texas, along with a coalition of Republican-led states, filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s administration challenging a new immigration program that offers a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. This legal action targets the recent initiative, which began accepting applications earlier this week, and argues that the program exceeds the administration’s authority and undermines the intent of existing U.S. immigration laws.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Texas and supported by 15 other states with Republican attorneys general, contests the legality of the new initiative, named Keeping Families Together. The program aims to provide legal status to an estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrant spouses who have been living in the U.S. for at least 10 years. According to the program, these individuals can now apply for a path to citizenship, circumventing the need to leave the U.S. for extended periods to eventually return legally.
Program Overview
The Keeping Families Together initiative is designed to address the status of immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens and have established long-term residence in the country. Prior to this program, many of these individuals faced the prospect of lengthy separations from their families while navigating legal pathways to return to the U.S. The new program is seen as a move to preserve family unity and offer relief to those who have integrated into American society.
In addition to providing a path to citizenship for immigrant spouses, the initiative also extends temporary “parole” status to approximately 50,000 children under the age of 21 who have a U.S.-citizen parent. This status offers a temporary legal status that can eventually lead to citizenship, further complicating the legal landscape and fueling opposition from critics.
Political and Legal Reactions
The lawsuit reflects a broader political and legal battle over immigration policy, which has become a focal point in the upcoming presidential election. Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump’s adviser Stephen Miller, have framed illegal immigration as a central issue, with Trump set to face Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election.
Miller, who played a significant role in crafting restrictive immigration policies during Trump’s presidency, has criticized the Biden administration’s new program as “brazenly unlawful.” America First Legal, an organization co-founded by Miller, is serving as co-counsel in the lawsuit alongside Texas and other states.
White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez responded to the lawsuit by condemning it as an attempt to “separate families” and contrary to the nation’s values. The Biden administration views the Keeping Families Together program as a compassionate measure that aligns with American principles of family unity and fairness.
Ongoing Legal Disputes
The lawsuit comes amid ongoing legal disputes between Texas and the Biden administration over various immigration and border policies. In July, a federal appeals court ruled that Texas could retain a large floating barrier in the Rio Grande River, intended to prevent illegal crossings from Mexico. This decision exemplifies the contentious relationship between the state and the federal government on immigration issues.
The outcome of the current lawsuit could have significant implications for U.S. immigration policy, particularly regarding the rights of undocumented immigrants and their families. The case highlights the ongoing divide between Republican and Democratic approaches to immigration, with the outcome likely to influence future policy debates and legal battles.
Conclusion
The legal challenge mounted by Texas and its coalition of Republican-led states against the Biden administration’s Keeping Families Together program underscores the intense political and legal debates surrounding U.S. immigration policy. As the program seeks to offer a path to citizenship for long-term undocumented immigrants and their families, it has sparked a broader discussion about immigration reform and the balance between compassion and enforcement.