The stay blocks the federal government from granting approvals for 14 days; applications are still being accepted
New York, NY—Yesterday, Judge J. Campbell Barker in the U.S. Eastern District of Texas granted an administrative stay barring the federal government from granting approvals for the Keeping Families Together parole in place program for the next 14 days. During this period, which could be extended, applications will still be accepted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but they will not be processed.
The stay was granted in response to a request from 16 Republican-led states’ Attorneys General, led by Texas, in their Texas vs. DHS lawsuit to block the implementation of the Keeping Families Together parole process.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“This lawsuit is hardly surprising from a group of attorneys general determined to play politics with people’s lives, but the court-ordered stay is baffling given there is no evidence that this program would hurt their states. In fact, the Keeping Families Together program would strengthen the ability of individuals to continue to contribute to their communities and economy. The stay is heartbreaking for the 20,000 New Yorkers who would benefit from this process to stay with their families and in their jobs. We are deeply disappointed in Judge Barker’s decision to grant this hold, and hope that he will consider the impact that this politically motivated lawsuit will have on the lives of thousands of people who are in need of a legal pathway to keep their families together.”
Background
The Biden administration’s Keep Families Together parole process began accepting applications on August 19th, 2024 to allow undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens the opportunity to adjust their status in the US without being separated from their families, their communities, and their work. Building off existing authorities, a process for “Parole in Place” will apply to undocumented spouses of United States citizens who have resided in the U.S. for at least ten years and meet other eligibility requirements. This new process could keep an estimated 500,000 people in the country – affecting a total of 2 million family members – and upwards of 20,000 undocumented New Yorkers.