President Biden on Tuesday vowed to continue fighting after a federal court temporarily froze his executive order that aimed to provide amnesty benefits to a significant portion of the country’s undocumented immigrant population.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled against Biden’s “Keeping Families Together” program, which offers deportation protection, a pathway to citizenship, and other benefits to undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens.
In response, Biden expressed his determination to fix what he called the nation’s “broken immigration system.”
“Last night, a single district court in Texas ruled that our work to keep families together has to stop,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
President Joe Biden. Photo: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
“That ruling is wrong. These families should not be needlessly separated.” Biden’s statement underscored his commitment to keeping families intact and his resolve to address long-standing issues in the U.S. immigration system.
“I will continue to fight to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system,” he added, signaling that his administration will not be deterred by the legal setback.
The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit led by America First Legal, a conservative organization founded by former Trump administration advisor Stephen Miller.
The group argued that the executive order was unconstitutional, prompting a coalition of 16 Republican-led states to join the lawsuit.
President Joe Biden holding the Quran. Photo Credit: Babylonbee.com
U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker issued a 14-day administrative stay, temporarily halting the program and putting Biden’s amnesty efforts on hold.
The “Keeping Families Together” program was unveiled by Biden in June during a White House event marking the 12-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the last major amnesty initiative launched by the federal government.
The program allows undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residence without having to leave the country first, which Biden highlighted as a humane and practical approach to immigration.
According to the White House, the program utilizes a federal authority known as “parole in place” and has the potential to benefit around half a million undocumented immigrants.
However, America First Legal disputes this figure, estimating that more than one million undocumented immigrants could be eligible.
Those approved under the program would receive lawful permanent residence, work permits, and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
“All I did was make it possible for these long-time residents to file the paperwork here — together with their families,” Biden said, defending the executive order.
“But without the Keeping Families Together process, spouses of U.S. citizens won’t be able to stay in the U.S. while they obtain the long-term legal status for which they’re already eligible.”
The president warned that without the program, many families would face harsh decisions, such as leaving the U.S. or living in fear of deportation.
