In a significant setback for President Joe Biden, a Texas judge has ruled against a program designed to provide a pathway to citizenship for certain immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens. This ruling could effectively keep the initiative stalled through the remainder of Biden’s presidency.
U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker determined that the program, which aimed to assist approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, exceeded the executive authority granted to the president.
The initiative, known as Keeping Families Together, was launched in August but faced immediate legal challenges, leading to its suspension shortly after its announcement. The lawsuit was brought forth by Texas and a coalition of states led by Republican attorneys general who argued against the program’s legality.
Biden initially introduced the program in June, prior to his withdrawal from the presidential race, which set the stage for Vice President Kamala Harris to compete against Republican Donald Trump, known for his strict immigration policies.
Following Trump’s victory over Harris in the recent election, he is expected to implement a comprehensive immigration crackdown that may include dismantling Biden’s spouse initiative. Trump’s campaign labeled the program as a “mass amnesty,” suggesting it would incentivize illegal immigration.
Recent polling indicates that immigration remains a top concern among Americans, with many anticipating that Trump will prioritize mass deportations upon taking office in January.
The Biden administration is considering an appeal against Thursday’s ruling, although the White House has not yet provided a formal response.
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