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Wednesday 28 august 2024

Immigrant families in limbo after judge puts U.S. program for

spouses on hold

litigation "creates chaos
Continued from Front and uncertainty" for those
looking to apply. Chen said
The 23-year-old college stu- he's seen the effect litiga-
dent arrived in the U.S. as a tion has had on other immi-
baby and lives in Texas with gration-related programs.
his wife, Natalie, an Ameri- His organization has held
can citizen who provides for three webinars designed
their family as a high school to educate lawyers about
teacher. the program. One of those
Although the Biden admin- seminars had about 1,000
istration's "Keeping Families lawyers in attendance, an
Together" program only extremely high number for
began accepting appli- one of the group's educa-
cations last week, families tional offerings, Chen said.
and immigration attorneys Roberto García, 37, and his
say confusion, uncertainty wife Maria in Los Angeles
and frustration is already had just paid an attorney
mounting following the or- $3,000 to help them fill out
der by U.S. District Judge J. the lengthy application for
Campbell Barker. Couples the program but the ap-
who already applied say plication wasn't submitted
they are in limbo and those yet because of Monday's
who haven't yet must weigh order. Now, they're won-
whether to wait for Republi- dering if they should gam-
cans' court challenge over ble their chances and pay
the program to play out. the processing fee for a pro-
Applicants must pay a $580 gram on hold.
processing fee. Following Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, "I didn't think this was going
Barker's order, the Florida CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Associated Press to happen. It's very hard,"
Immigrant Coalition said said Roberto Garcia, refer-
it was asking people "to ring to the order that halted
weigh their options and to der. "This is just the first step. in the U.S. illegally can be Action Justice Center. the parole program. "We
make the best decision for We are going to keep fight- required to return to their Gregory Chen, the director are not a priority. It is bad
their families at this time." ing for Texas, our country, home country — often for of government relations for that they play with people's
The court order followed and the rule of law," he said years — and they always the American Immigration feelings."
a challenge by 16 states, in a statement. face the risk they may not Lawyers Association, said Roberto is the sole pro-
led by Republican attor- On Tuesday, the Depart- be allowed back in. he had heard from lawyers vider for the family of five
neys general, who filed a ment of Homeland Secu- "We thought this was finally affiliated with the associa- and earns a living through
federal lawsuit days after rity said the government our opportunity to be able tion of at least hundreds of this construction business
the program began tak- would continue to take ap- to go through this proc- people who had applied in California. He also sends
ing applications on Aug. plications and defend the ess together and not fear since the program was money back home to fam-
19. Barker's order, known program in court. Any ap- the possibility of spending launched, including some ily in Mexico.
as an administrative stay, plicants whose parole was ten years away from each who applied and were ap- If approved, applicants
will be in place for 14 days granted prior to the order other," Silva said. Now "I feel proved the next day. have three years to seek
but could be extended. will be unaffected, accord- pretty heartbroken, very Lawyers are rushing to un- permanent residency. Dur-
"That ruling is wrong. These ing to the department. sad… because without it derstand what the order ing that period, they can
families should not be need- DHS did not respond to we face so much uncer- means for their clients, too. get a work authorization.
lessly separated," Biden said questions about how many tainty." According to Chen, the But Maria García said she
in a statement. The states applications were received Immigration attorney Lau- organization's listserv for is losing hope and consid-
claimed the move would or approved or how long it ra Flores-Perilla said it was lawyers interested in the ering moving to Mexico,
cause irreparable harm and takes to determine the out- "really unclear" what will Keeping Families Together where her husband has his
accused the administration come of a case under the happen with Silva's ap- program "blew up" after the parents and brothers.
of bypassing Congress for program. pointment scheduled for judge's decision late Mon- "We will never be able to
"blatant political purposes." Fears of separation returned September. day with questions about buy a house here," she
Republican Texas Attorney for Silva and his wife, Na- "I cannot underestimate the what the decision means. said. "Here if you do things
General Ken Paxton, whose talie. Under the tradition- impact that this temporary Advocates are concerned wrong, they reward you.
office is helping lead the al process to apply for a pause is having," said Flores- the changes, even tempo- If you do things right, they
lawsuit, applauded the or- green card, spouses living Perilla, an attorney at the rary ones, created by such punish you."q