Parole in Place Permanently Blocked

Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down the “Keeping Families Together” policy in a 74-page order released on November 7, 2024. Judge Campbell held that the Biden Administration overstepped the powers given to it by Congress under federal law. The parole in place program allowed certain non-citizen spouses and stepchildren of US Citizens to remain in the country, obtain work authorization, and eventually pursue citizenship without having to return to home countries and face unlawful presence bars. It is unknown whether the Biden Administration will appeal the order. And even if it does, the incoming administration is unlikely to pursue the appeal after the new president is sworn in on January 20th. The judge’s order only impacts the Keeping Families Together Program; other parole programs remain in place.