Biden Administration’s ‘Parole in Place’ Program Struck Down by Federal Judge

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 the undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens who had been in the United States for at least 10 years to remain in the country to apply for permanent residence without the threat of deportation.

Judge Barker determined that the Biden administration lacked statutory authority for the program. He found 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.