**Texas Judge Temporarily Blocks Biden's New Immigration Program**
A federal judge in Texas has temporarily halted a new immigration program introduced by the Biden administration, which officials say could help hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens avoid deportation.
The 14-day pause, issued on Monday, is in response to a lawsuit filed by 16 Republican-led states challenging the program.
The "Keeping Families Together" initiative, which launched last week, is designed for undocumented individuals who have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years. It allows them to work legally and applies to those married to U.S. citizens.
As the November presidential election approaches, immigration remains a key issue for voters, with polls showing it as a top concern.
When the White House introduced the program in June, officials estimated it could benefit more than 500,000 undocumented spouses. Additionally, about 50,000 people under the age of 21, whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen, would also be eligible.
This initiative is the most significant immigration relief effort since the Obama administration's 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
Under the now-paused program, undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens would qualify if they had been living in the U.S. for 10 years and were married by June 17. They would have three years to apply for permanent residency and would be eligible for a three-year work permit.
Unlike previous systems, where applicants were required to leave the U.S. to apply for legal status, this program would allow them to remain in the country while their applications were processed.
Judge J. Campbell Barker, appointed by former President Donald Trump, issued the stay to give the court more time to review the case, though the stay could be extended. In the meantime, the Department of Homeland Security can continue to accept applications, but they cannot process them.
“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Judge Barker wrote in his order.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton praised the decision, saying, “This is just the first step. We will keep fighting for Texas, our country, and the rule of law.”
Opponents of Biden's plan argue that it amounts to amnesty for migrants who entered the country illegally. Supporters, however, contend that the new policy keeps families together, contrasting it with previous systems that they say caused family separations.
