Federal Judge Invalidates Biden’s Initiative for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens

A federal court judge has invalidated President Joe Biden’s initiative designed to create a path to US citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are married to American citizens. US District Court Judge Campbell Barker, appointed by Donald Trump, determined that the Biden administration did not possess the legal power to implement the program. The judge supported a legal challenge brought by 16 Republican-governed states, which contended that the Biden administration ought not to circumvent Congress to implement immigration laws. Judge Barker had previously issued a temporary injunction against the program for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants shortly after its implementation in August. The White House issued a statement expressing its strong disagreement with the decision and indicated it was considering its subsequent actions. White House spokesman Angelo Fernández Hernández stated, “This ruling sides with Republican state officials who are seeking to force US citizens and their families, people who have lived in the United States for more than ten years, to either separate or live in the shadows in constant fear of deportation.” He further commented, “Our Administration believes in keeping American families together.” The Department of Homeland Security conveyed its “deep disappointment” regarding the ruling. It affirmed, “We firmly believe Keeping Families Together is grounded in well-established legal authority, and its purpose is consistent with fundamental American values.” America First Legal, a group associated with Trump that participated in the legal action opposing the plan, applauded the decision. Executive director Gene Hamilton remarked, “Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has dedicated itself to the decimation of our immigration system and the erasure of our borders.” He further stated that the Republican states “succeeded in stopping an illegal program that would have provided amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens.” The Keeping Families Together program, unveiled by Biden in August, aimed to provide undocumented immigrants married to US citizens who have resided in the country for ten years or longer the opportunity to obtain a green card without departing the US. Following a period of three years, individuals holding green cards and married to US citizens would become eligible to seek citizenship. The Biden administration estimated that approximately half a million undocumented immigrants qualified for this initiative. The plan was introduced merely weeks after the administration implemented measures to restrict the volume of asylum claims at the US border, amidst an unprecedented number of crossings. The administration possesses the option to appeal Judge Barker’s decision, though its status is anticipated to remain uncertain as Donald Trump assumes control of the White House. The Republican president-elect has committed to a comprehensive reform of US immigration laws and “mass deportations.” Biden had contended that the proposed plan would enable families to stay united, asserting that the previous system caused family separations. Conversely, critics alleged that the initiative granted amnesty to migrants who entered the country unlawfully.