On November 7, 2024, U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, of Texas, struck down the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” parole-in-place policy, implemented on August 19, 2024, which allowed undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens who have been in the United States for at least 10 years to remain without the threat of deportation and to apply for legal permanent residence. Reportedly, up to 800,000 people were potentially affected by the policy.
Judge Barker determined that the Biden administration lacked statutory authority for the program. He also agreed with plaintiffs that the program would put a strain on the resources of the state of Texas, which would “incur concrete harm on account of increased costs” such as providing food assistance and educational and healthcare services to the additional population.