Has Legislation Been Passed To Keep Families Together Immigrant?

The Keeping Families Together Parole in Place (KFT PIP) is an immigration policy in the United States that allows certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens to request parole in place. The process, which went into effect on August 19, 2024, could help up to 550, 000 individuals in mixed-status families stay together in the United States. President Joe Biden’s executive order ‘Keeping Families Together’ went into effect on Monday, initiating a process that could allow over half a million family members of U. S. citizens to legally stay in the country.

The Biden administration introduced the “Keep Families Together” plan on June 18, 2024, aiming to address significant gaps in the U. S. immigration system. Under his plan, certain undocumented people married to U. S. citizens will be eligible for relief from deportation. The Biden administration filed new regulations Monday that will allow some immigrant spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens to remain in the United States as they have. These actions allow eligible individuals who have resided in the U. S. for 10+ years to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country.

Republican attorneys general in 16 states had filed suit to block the program, putting an estimated 500, 000 immigrants back in legal limbo. The court ruled that the Biden administration did not have the power to issue this type of parole in place and declared the KFT PIP process illegal. Since his first day in office, President Biden has called on Congress to secure our border and address our broken immigration system.

In summary, the Keeping Families Together Parole in Place (KFT PIP) is an immigration policy that allows certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens to request parole in place. The process could help up to 550, 000 individuals in mixed-status families stay together in the United States.

Is Keeping Families Together Still Paused?

On November 7, 2024, the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a final judgment vacating the Keeping Families Together (KFT) parole process, which had been implemented on August 19, 2024. Just days after its launch, Texas and 15 other states filed a lawsuit to halt the KFT program designed for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens seeking parole in place. This program aimed to assist mixed-status families, potentially impacting around half a million individuals by offering them a path to citizenship without leaving the U.

S. However, the federal judge's ruling struck down the initiative, asserting that the Biden administration lacked the authority to establish such a process. The court also temporarily paused the program and ordered USCIS not to approve any parole requests under KFT, with the block expiring on November 8, 2024, although it could be extended. The situation remains fluid as the court’s decision affects the future of the Keeping Families Together program, with further announcements expected from USCIS regarding application processes.

Was The Keep Families Together Act Passed?

On August 19, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched Keeping Families Together (KFT), enabling certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens to seek parole in place. However, a federal judge has since struck down the initiative, significantly impacting an estimated 550, 000 undocumented spouses. KFT aimed to help these individuals remain with their families while navigating immigration processes. The program faced immediate challenges from Texas and 15 other states shortly after its implementation.

Previously, in 2021, Washington State passed the Keeping Families Together Act (House Bill 1227), aimed at reducing the number of children in foster care and addressing racial disproportionality. This act allows children to be removed from homes only in cases of imminent physical harm, reflecting lawmakers' commitment to family integrity.

The KFT initiative illustrates the Biden Administration's ongoing efforts to prioritize family unity within the immigration system. Still, the recent judicial ruling highlights ongoing controversies surrounding immigration policies and the challenges faced by many families seeking stability and security. Further information on the KFT process is anticipated from USCIS following the judge's ruling.

What Is The New Immigrant Law?

The new bill establishes a lawful prospective immigrant status for noncitizens who meet specific criteria, including continuous presence in the U. S. since January 1, 2023, and passing background checks. This policy, introduced by President Biden, aims to protect around 500, 000 individuals married to U. S. citizens from deportation while providing a path to citizenship. The executive order, "Keeping Families Together," allows undocumented spouses and children of U.

S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residency. The Biden administration's initiative includes a large-scale immigration program, which offers legal status and a streamlined route to U. S. residency. Measures are incorporated to reduce unlawful migration across the Western Hemisphere, with Biden emphasizing a need to restore humanity and American values to the immigration system. Furthermore, the executive action curtails asylum claims between ports and enhances the deportation process for migrants.

This new guidance replaces the term "alien" with "noncitizen" in immigration discussions and promotes family unity through existing procedures. Aspects of the new laws by the Department of Homeland Security aim to clarify and improve the immigration process, fostering better opportunities for undocumented individuals seeking lawful status.

What Is The 7 Year Rule For Immigrants?

The seven-year rule for immigrants outlines a potential eligibility period for non-citizens striving to become U. S. citizens. During this period, non-citizens must work towards naturalization; failure to do so results in the cessation of eligibility after seven years. For instance, Elliot, who received refugee status in 2008, is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) until 2015. This rule applies to various non-citizen situations including refugees, asylees, and Amerasian immigrants.

A proposed bill known as the "Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929" allows immigrants residing continuously in the U. S. for at least seven years to apply for a green card by amending the current immigration law, specifically the registry provision. If passed, this legislation could enable the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to upgrade the immigration status of a larger number of individuals residing in the country.

The bill stipulates that eligible individuals must demonstrate good moral character, pay taxes, and pass a criminal background check. After holding lawful permanent residency for a specified duration, immigrants may apply for U. S. citizenship. This proposal aims to expand the opportunity for approximately 8 million immigrants who have lived in the U. S. for seven years without legal status to attain permanent residency, thereby promoting a pathway towards citizenship for long-term residents.

Is Parole In Place Cancelled?

A federal judge has ruled against the Biden administration's "parole in place" initiative, which aimed to provide legal status to certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens. The program, officially termed Keeping Families Together Parole in Place (KFT PIP), was launched on August 19, 2024, following an announcement in June of the same year. However, as of November 15, 2024, the judge's ruling has led to the cancellation of the program, halting all new Form I-131F applications and ceasing the processing of pending applications.

All scheduled Application Support Center appointments related to this form have also been canceled. Attorney General Ken Paxton played a significant role in this legal decision, which echoes similar challenges against Biden's immigration policies stemming from various states, particularly Texas. The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed it would no longer accept new applications or adjudicate pending ones, marking a significant setback for those seeking legal pathways under the KFT PIP program. As a result, many individuals who applied for this program will face uncertainty regarding their immigration status. Further updates from USCIS will be forthcoming on handling these cases.

What Is The New Immigration Law For Married Couples In 2024?

On August 19, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the "Keeping Families Together" initiative to allow certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U. S. citizens to request parole in place. This program stems from actions announced on June 18, 2024, aimed at enhancing family unity in the immigration system, fulfilling President Biden's commitment. It offers work permits and deportation protections for undocumented immigrants married to U.

S. citizens who have resided in the country for at least ten years. Eligible applicants can remain with their families in the U. S., with the possibility of work authorization for up to three years. This strategic move could pave the way for more than 500, 000 undocumented immigrants to attain legal status and potentially a green card, leading to U. S. citizenship. Nevertheless, comprehensive immigration reform ultimately requires Congressional action.

Biden has consistently urged Congress to address immigration challenges since taking office. Additionally, the program is anticipated to significantly shift U. S. immigration policies, affecting visa processes and family reunification provisions. The DHS continues to process "parole in place" applications, emphasizing its commitment to promote family unity.

What Policies Were Passed Into Law To Restrict Immigration?

The Immigration Act of 1924 established a national origins quota to limit immigration into the United States, granting visas to two percent of each nationality present in the country based on the 1890 census. This act followed the restrictive Immigration Act of 1917, which barred immigrants from vast areas of Asia and the Pacific Islands, as well as various groups like homosexuals, "idiots," and alcoholics. The heightened focus on national security during World War I facilitated the passage of these laws.

Despite the rising number of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s, immigration restrictions remained rigid. The 1924 Johnson-Reed Act marked a pivotal moment in U. S. immigration policy by significantly favoring immigrants from Northern and Western Europe. The tradition of regulating immigration began soon after U. S. independence, reflecting the political climate and migrant trends over time.

Notable earlier legislation included the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was the first significant law to restrict immigration based on race. Overall, the Immigration Act of 1924 had a profound impact on the demographic landscape of the U. S. throughout the 20th century, marking a shift in immigration practices.

What Is The Keep Families Connected Act?

SB 1008, known as the "Keep Families Connected Act," aims to eliminate costly per-minute charges and connection fees that hinder communication between incarcerated individuals and their families. This legislation is designed to reduce the financial strain on families, while ensuring that incarcerated men and women can maintain crucial connections with their loved ones. The act not only addresses financial burdens but also emphasizes the importance of family unity, with provisions to keep sibling groups intact and support the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals through better communication.

Effective January 1, the act allows incarcerated individuals in California to make and receive free phone calls, representing a significant shift in the state's approach to prison communications. SB 1008 mandates that city, county, and state jails offer voice communications services without charge, aligning with a broader push to dismantle the $1. 4 billion prison telecom industry, which has driven many families into debt.

Sponsored by California State Senator Josh Becker, this legislation reflects a commitment to preserving familial ties and supporting the mental well-being of those affected by the criminal justice system. The act builds on earlier initiatives, such as the Keeping Families Together Act, which facilitates familial connections for certain noncitizens.