HARRISBURG, PA — Tensions rise as a federal court order has temporarily blocked a key immigration initiative by the Biden administration, drawing sharp criticism from the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. The court’s decision halts the Department of Homeland Security‘s (DHS) Keeping Families Together program, aimed at preventing the separation of immigrant families.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued an administrative stay, preventing DHS from granting parole in place to noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. This move affects an estimated 500,000 individuals nationwide, although specific numbers for Pennsylvania remain unclear.
Rep. Danilo Burgos, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus, expressed frustration over what he perceives as a politically motivated decision. Burgos criticized the court’s actions, stating, “Far too often, the livelihoods of millions of hard-working immigrant families in Pennsylvania are jeopardized for scoring cheap political points.”
The case, Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, involves Texas and 15 other states challenging the program, arguing it exceeds DHS’s federal authority and contributes to rising illegal immigration costs. Despite the stay, previously approved applications remain valid, allowing those individuals to pursue further immigration benefits.
The halt of this program highlights the ongoing clash between federal immigration policies and state-level opposition. As the legal battle continues, the implications for immigrant families facing separation loom large, intensifying the debate over immigration reform and family unity in America.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.