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A federal judge in Texas has struck down a Biden administration program aimed at providing a pathway to U.S. citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants married to American citizens. The program, known as “parole in place,” allowed certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to stay in the country, work legally, and pursue citizenship without fear of deportation.
Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued the ruling after a legal challenge by 16 Republican-led states, spearheaded by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In a detailed 74-page opinion, Judge Barker concluded that the Biden administration overstepped its authority, asserting that the program extended beyond the powers granted by Congress. He wrote that the administration’s interpretation of immigration law “stretches legal interpretation past its breaking point.”
Previously, in August, Judge Barker had temporarily blocked the program, which was implemented earlier this year as President Biden sought re-election. The ruling on Thursday now halts the program permanently, a decision that aligns with other court battles over Biden’s immigration policies, many of which could face additional scrutiny under the incoming Trump administration.
Additionally, Judge Barker denied a request from individuals benefiting from the program who sought to intervene in the case to defend the policy themselves.
En Otras Noticias
El gobierno de Biden recientemente anunció que no renovará un programa humanitario temporal que permitió a cientos de miles de migrantes de Cuba, Venezuela, Haití y Nicaragua permanecer legalmente en Estados Unidos. La medida deja a muchos de esos migrantes sin un camino claro hacia la residencia legal, lo que los obliga a encontrar soluciones migratorias alternativas o enfrentar la deportación.
El programa, conocido como iniciativa CHNV, se creó a fines de 2022 como una medida para frenar los cruces fronterizos ilegales y permitió a los migrantes de estos cuatro países vivir y trabajar legalmente en Estados Unidos durante dos años si tenían patrocinadores financieros y pasaban verificaciones de antecedentes. Desde su inicio, más de 530.000 migrantes han utilizado el programa para volar legalmente a Estados Unidos y obtener un estatus legal temporal. El mayor número de llegadas provino de Haití, con un total de alrededor de 214.000, seguido de 117.000 venezolanos, 111.000 cubanos y 96.000 nicaragüenses.
Según el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), si bien la administración seguirá aceptando nuevos solicitantes en virtud de la iniciativa, a los migrantes existentes no se les concederán prórrogas.
“Este período de dos años tenía como objetivo permitir que las personas solicitaran ayuda humanitaria u otros beneficios de inmigración para los que pudieran ser elegibles, y que trabajaran y contribuyeran a los Estados Unidos”, dijo la portavoz del DHS, Naree Ketudat, en un comunicado. Sin embargo, a los migrantes que aún no hayan obtenido otro estatus legal se les exigirá que abandonen el país o se enfrenten a procedimientos de deportación.
Si aún no ha buscado un beneficio de inmigración alternativo y se encuentra en los EE. UU. con permiso humanitario, llámenos para programar una consulta y analizar sus opciones de inmigración.
Family-Based Immigration
The U.S. immigration system prioritizes family reunification. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can petition for certain family members to gain LPR status. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and children under 21) have no annual visa limits.
Employment-Based Immigration
Immigrants with valuable skills can apply for employment-based visas. These visas are categorized based on the type of employment and the applicant’s qualifications.
Humanitarian Protections
Programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum and refugee status offer legal residence to individuals facing persecution or unsafe conditions in their home countries. For additional information, please schedule a consultation with us.
Path to Citizenship
After obtaining LPR status, immigrants can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (or three years in some cases). For additional information, please schedule a consultation with us.
If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 305-859-0872.
