Court Declares Biden’s Immigration Policy for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens Illegal

The Biden’s administration “parole in place” immigration policy was overturned on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker. This policy, which aimed to grant legal status to certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, was a key effort to support family unity. The ruling significantly impacts Biden’s immigration approach, just as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office following his projected 2024 election victory.

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Biden’s Family Unity Effort Faces Major Setback

Introduced earlier this year, the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” initiative sought to protect mixed-status families from separation. The policy granted undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens a pathway to legal residency and work authorization, allowing them to pursue citizenship while safeguarding against deportation. However, the recent court decision underlines the challenges Biden’s administration faces in retaining its policies as Trump prepares to re-enter the White House.

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Tension Mounts Between Biden and Trump Administrations

Judge Barker, appointed during Trump’s first term, effectively dismantled one of Biden’s signature immigration policies, which had provided deportation protection for undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens who had been in the country for over a decade without committing serious offenses. The court ruling disrupts Biden’s plans, intensifying tensions between the outgoing administration and Trump’s incoming team during the transition period.

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Implications for Hundreds of Thousands as Trump Pledges Strict Border Policies

According to CNN, the Keeping Families Together policy was estimated to impact around 750,000 to 800,000 people. With Judge Barker’s ruling aligning with lawsuits from Republican-led states like Texas, the program’s dismantling signals a shift in U.S. immigration law. Trump’s plan to militarize the U.S.-Mexico border and initiate extensive deportations could further dismantle Biden’s legacy on immigration reform, underscoring a significant policy shift as Trump prepares to assume office.

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