The Biden Administration and Department of Homeland Security’s “Keeping Families Together” Program faced its first test on Monday, August 27, 2024. According to an AP story, a federal judge in Texas issued a temporary stay on the Keeping Families Together policy, which makes the path to citizenship for an estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants easier.
From the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge J. Campbell Barker issued the order after 16 states challenged the policy. The order lasts two weeks, but could be extended. Texas and its attorney general, Ken Paxton, led the challenge, saying in a lawsuit that the state pays out tens of millions of dollars per year because of undocumented immigrants living in the state.
The challenges came due to a claim that the Biden Administration bypassed Congress when they created the program.
What is the Keeping Families Together Program?
The Keeping Families Together Program, announced by the Biden Administration in June 2024, began accepting applications in mid-August 2024. The temporary pause from the court order halts the program for now, but the underlying mechanism is still in place.
The main thrust of the program is that it provides the undocumented spouses and children of current U.S. citizens with protection from deportation and an eventual green card if:
- They’ve lived in the U.S. for 10 years
- They’re currently married to a U.S. citizen or are a “qualifying” stepchild
Gaining citizenship for your noncitizen spouse has many benefits, with the most important being the ability to keep your family together.
For the best results, Maison Law Immigration Lawyers experienced team can guide you through the process. Contact us today for a consultation to explore your options and stay on top of any changes in the program.
