In June, the US government launched a program that offers many illegal immigrants the prospect of acquiring citizenship. Now 16 Republican-led states have filed a lawsuit against the program.
Several Republican-governed US states have filed a lawsuit against a federal government program that could enable more than half a million immigrants to obtain US citizenship. The administration of President Joe Biden bypassed the US Congress to initiate the program for “obvious political purposes,” argued the 16 plaintiff states.
The program, which was launched in June, allows many spouses without legal status in the United States to apply for residency. This makes it possible for them to ultimately obtain U.S. citizenship. The program is controversial in the current election year because immigration policy is considered one of the decisive issues in the election.
Critics speak of amnesty for illegal immigrants
Many Republican critics argue that the government program is essentially an amnesty for people who have entered the country illegally. The attorney general of the plaintiff state of Texas, Ken Paxton, said the program “violates the Constitution and actively exacerbates the disaster of illegal immigration that is damaging Texas and our country.”
The lawsuit is directed against the Department of Homeland Security, its head Alejandro Mayorkas and other representatives of the Biden administration. The plaintiff states accuse the department of abuse of power.
50,000 children also affected by the program
To be eligible for the program, immigrants must have lived in the United States for at least ten years. They must not pose a security threat or have a criminal record. They must also have been married to a U.S. citizen since June 17 at the latest.
The US government estimates that around 500,000 adults could be eligible for the program – and an additional 50,000 children. Before the program began, it was difficult for people who were in the US illegally to get a green card after marrying a US citizen.
