The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals extended a district court stay indefinitely, blocking USCIS from issuing grants of parole for the Keeping Families Together process, leaving thousands of families in limbo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Mixed-status families represented by Justice Action Center (JAC) and Make the Road New York (MRNY) filed a motion to vacate the Fifth Circuit’s extension of a district court order blocking the federal government from issuing grants of parole for Keeping Families Together (KFT) applications.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals extended the Eastern District of Texas’ pause on grants of parole until sometime after October 10, it will hear oral arguments on JAC and MRNY’s motion to intervene on behalf of 11 directly impacted individuals and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) members, who together represent the thousands of families that could benefit from KFT parole.
“As our motion argues, the Fifth Circuit’s extension of the district court stay was ordered absent any rationale, analysis, or decision around Texas’s standing. These moves were not only procedurally unsound but also harm our clients and the thousands of eligible families they represent, who want nothing more than a chance to stay together,” said Esther Sung, Legal Director of Justice Action Center. “To be clear, we did not ask for any stay, let alone for the district court stay to be extended by the court. The stay must be vacated, and we will continue to demonstrate to the courts that the perspectives of eligible families must be considered in any litigation that threatens to separate them.”
“Texas has yet to demonstrate how it is harmed by a process that fosters family unity and stability. And yet, it has managed to halt this process nationwide. We are hopeful that the court will act promptly and lift this stay, ending the real and unnecessary pain our clients and thousands of other families are enduring at this time,” said Harold Solis, Co-Legal Director for Make The Road New York. “Until then, every day that goes by will bring further uncertainty for these families who have built their lives here after so many years. They should not be forced to bear any additional delays while litigation continues.”
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can continue to accept and review applications for Keeping Families Together parole, but it cannot grant approvals during the administrative stay. Individuals who are considering applying should consult a lawyer or trusted community partner about their case.
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Justice Action Center (JAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for greater justice for immigrant communities by combining litigation and storytelling. JAC is committed to bringing additional litigation resources to address unmet needs, empower clients, and change the corrosive narrative around immigrants in the U.S.
Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. We have 27,000+ members and operate five community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island; and White Plains, Westchester County.
