A Texas judge has temporarily paused a key immigration policy by President Joe Biden that would have streamlined the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status. The 14-day stay was ordered on Monday by Judge J. Campbell Barker in response to a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general from 16 states.
The policy, announced by Biden in June, aimed to simplify the path to citizenship for an estimated half a million immigrants married to U.S. nationals. The opposing states argue that the policy is costing them millions in public services, including healthcare and education, used by the immigrants.
Judge Barker's order suspends the implementation of the "parole in place" status but allows the government to continue accepting applications. Immigrant rights groups, like the Justice Action Center, have criticized the decision, calling it an "extreme measure" that unfairly impacts families. The court has scheduled an expedited hearing to address the case further.
