On Monday, a federal judge in Texas temporarily halted a Biden Administration program that was designed to help undocumented immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.

Why it’s important: The program “Keeping Families Together” could have helped 500,000 immigrants in the U.S. who lack legal status.

Quickly, U.S. district court judge J. Campbell Barker granted the stay of 14 days in response to a petition from attorneys general from sixteen states, including Texas.

In a Friday court filing, the Republican-led states claimed that the program of parole in place was detrimental to them and would lead to more unauthorised migration.

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Zoom in: Barker stated that he made his decision on the temporary stay only after a “first-blush” review of the merits.

The judge wrote that “the claims are substantial, and deserve closer attention than the court can afford to give them to date.”

They’re saying it: Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, on X, called the program a “unconstitutional plan” after the judge’s ruling.

Paxton stated, “This is only the first step.” “We will continue to fight for Texas, the United States, and the rule law.”

In court documents, the U.S. Government called allegations that this program would encourage unauthorized immigration as “baseless.”

The government said that there is no valid claim that this program will harm states because it only applies for immigrants who have lived in the country at least 10 year.

Two immigrant groups who had earlier filed a court request to defend this program denounced in a Monday statement the decision of the judge.

Karen Tumlin is the founder and director at Justice Action Center. She said that an order of this nature should only be used in extreme situations.

This case does not pass that test. It is absurd to stop a process where Texas hasn’t been able provide a shred of evidence that the state would be harmed.

After marrying an American citizen, obtaining legal status is a lengthy and complicated process. People who entered the U.S. illegally must return to their country of origin for at least ten years before they are allowed to legally reside in the U.S.

Many immigrants are left in limbo because they don’t apply to become legal permanent residents, which is a requirement for becoming a citizen.

The program would have allowed spouses and stepchildren to get legal status as well as a work permit, without leaving the country.

The rules for eligibility are strict.