Tyler, TX – A federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas has issued an administrative stay, temporarily halting the federal government from granting approvals for the Keeping Families Together (KFT) parole in place process for the next 14 days. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit (Texas v. DHS) filed by Texas and 15 other states seeking to block this transformative process that would allow nearly a half million spouses and mixed-status families to stay together without fear of deportation or prolonged separation. Prior to the judge ordering the 14-day pause, Justice Action Center and Make The Road New York filed a motion to intervene in Texas v. DHS, the federal lawsuit filed last week by Texas and other states aiming to block the new Keeping Families Together (KFT) process.
As of now, applications for the KFT parole process are still being accepted, providing hope and next steps for those who long for a chance to remain united with their loved ones as they adjust their status. The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) stands firmly in support of this crucial initiative and is committed to ensuring that the voices of these individuals and families are heard.
Said Nicole Melaku, executive director of NPNA, “The Keeping Families Together process is a critical step toward achieving a fair and humane immigration system that respects the dignity of all people. It provides a clear pathway for families to stay together in a system that has otherwise torn families apart for years, even decades. It is deeply ironic that anti-immigrant voices, who have long called for safety and security, are now the ones attempting to create disorder, chaos, and insecurity for our communities by blocking a solution that aligns so closely with their own demands and values. We stand firmly in our support of this solution for our communities and encourage all who may qualify to apply.”
As a coalition of over 75 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights groups across 42 states, NPNA was founded to help implement immigration solutions like the Keeping Families Together process, which provides an on-ramp for eligible immigrants to begin unlocking their pathway to more permanent relief. NPNA urges policymakers and the public to recognize the importance of keeping families together and to stand against efforts that seek to undermine this fundamental value.
Individuals considering applying for this protection should reach out to trusted legal advice to avoid fraudulent practices or consumer scams. We encourage our communities to use verified, community-based legal services to support screening for eligibility and navigating the immigration process by visiting https://readytostay.org/immigrants/pip/.
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The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of 75 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations with reach across over 42 states. Together with our members, we advance immigrant and refugee equity and inclusion, build and expand immigration legal services and integration programming capacity, and drive campaigns that strengthen democracy through increased civic participation. See our website for more information at partnershipfornewamericans.org.