Visa Lawyer Blog: Federal Judge Extends the Administrative Stay for Applications Under the Keeping Families Together Program Until 23 September — September 5, 2024
We are reporting new developments in the ongoing litigation for parole in Place applications in the Texas et. al. vs. DHS et. Case No. 6:24-cv-00306 (E.D. 6:24-cv-00306 (E.D. Tex. ).
Yesterday evening, federal Judge J. Campbell Barker of the Eastern District Court of Texas issued a court order extending his previous administrative stay on parole in place (PIP) approvals for an additional 14-day period expiring on September 23, 2024.
The judge’s initial stay (of August 26th), which was set to expire on September 9, 2024, will now continue through September 23rd.
What does this mean for parole in place applications?
While the administrative stay is in place, those eligible for parole in place under the Keeping Families Together program can continue to submit the online Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
USCIS will also continue to issue biometrics appointment notices to capture applicant biometrics during the administrative stay.
However, USCIS is prohibited from approving applications received for as long as the administrative stay is in place (currently until September 23rd)
This is because the Texas lawsuit challenges the legality of the Keeping Families Together program and approvals must be paused while the parties in the case make their arguments before the court, and a final ruling is made.
What’s next in the Texas lawsuit?
The court has ordered an accelerated hearing where motions for preliminary and permanent relief will be heard on September 18th. The judge in this case could make a decision in the next few months due to the accelerated proceedings. The judge can extend the administrative stay beyond September 23rd if there is good cause. The judge may decide to extend the administrative stay past September 23rd in the future if it finds that good cause exists to do so throughout the litigation process.
What if my parole in place application was approved before the administrative stay?
Parole in place approvals that were issued
prior
to the initial administrative stay order at 6:46 PM ET on August 26, 2024, remain valid and are not impacted by the administrative stay.IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTIONAlthough the court’s administrative stay limits the approval of Form I-131F applications, undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens eligible for PIP under the Keeping Families Together program should discuss the possibility of filing their application with an immigration attorney.
Applicants who receive biometrics appointments for PIP applications filed with USCIS should continue to attend their appointments.
Since it is not certain whether additional court orders could stop the acceptance of applications in the near future it is very important for qualifying applicants to act now to discuss the pros and cons of filing a PIP application.
If you have questions about your eligibility for the program, please contact us to schedule a consultation.
For more information about this lawsuit, please click here.
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