The stay blocks the federal government from granting approvals for 14 days; applications are still being accepted
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TYLER, TEXAS — A federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas has granted an administrative stay, barring the federal government from granting approvals for the Keeping Families Together parole process for the next 14 days. However, applications are still being accepted.
The judge’s order comes the same day as Justice Action Center and Make the Road New York filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit Texas v. DHS on behalf of 11 directly impacted individuals and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). These potential intervenor defendants are seeking to become parties to the case so that their perspectives may be considered by the court.
“An order like this is an extreme measure that — by law — should only be taken in the most urgent of situations,” said Karen Tumlin, Founder and Director of Justice Action Center. “This case does not meet that test. To halt a process for which Texas has not been able to provide an iota of evidence that it would harm the state is baffling. This is heart-breaking for our clients and the thousands of couples who hope to benefit from this process and be able to live without fear that their family will be separated.”
“We filed our Motion to Intervene today to demand that the court understand the lives impacted by the order just given,” said Harold Solis, Co-Legal Director of Make the Road New York. “We hope the court will rule swiftly in favor of our Motion so that our clients will finally have their perspectives considered, as their family unity and stability hangs in the balance. We will continue to fight for as long as needed to ensure that the Keeping Families Together process remains intact,” he added.
Texas and the other 15 states had sought a Temporary Restraining Order (or TRO) to block the implementation of the Keeping Families Together parole process. The federal government had asked the court to at least allow them until August 28 to oppose that TRO request. The court opted to order what it called “an administrative stay,” for an initial period of 14 days, prohibiting the federal government from issuing any grants of parole in place. It is important to note that applications for parole in place, however, can still be accepted. While the court’s order is called an administrative stay, it has the same legal effect as a TRO.
###
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.