Commonwealth_ The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), a major policy and advocacy organization representing over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups across New York, voiced strong disapproval on Friday in response to a recent ruling by a United States District Court judge against the Keeping Families Together (KFT) program. The design of this program was to broaden the scope of the parole in place initiative, providing temporary deportation relief and supplementary protections to long-term undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants married to U.S. citizens, along with their U.S. citizen stepchildren.
Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued the ruling. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated the legal challenge, which 16 other states joined. These states contended that the KFT program overstepped executive authority and sought to curtail the efforts to broaden eligibility for parole.
Judge Barker’s ruling came in a comprehensive 74-page decision that argued the administration had extended its interpretation of immigration law beyond permissible limits. He stated that the program’s implementation “stretches legal interpretation past its breaking point,” asserting that the authority to establish such a program rests solely with the U.S. Congress and not the executive branch.
NYIC’s president and CEO, Murad Awawdeh, spoke to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) about the significant impact the judge’s decision will have on immigrant families, particularly those who were depending on the KFT program to remain united. Awawdeh emphasized that this ruling undermines the safety and stability of American families, including an estimated 20,000 immigrant New Yorkers who would have benefitted from the program.
Awawdeh explained that the KFT program could have offered temporary deportation relief to approximately 500,000 immigrants across the U.S., allowing them to apply for work authorization and potentially permanent residency without having to leave the country and risk separation from their families. He described Judge Barker’s ruling as “a huge blow” to families seeking a legal pathway to secure their place in the U.S. and avoid the fear of deportation.
Awawdeh further argued that the Keeping Families Together program would have provided substantial benefits not only for immigrant families but also for the broader community and economy. By allowing noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to live and work legally in the country, the program would enable these individuals to become productive and engaged members of their communities without the looming fear of separation. He emphasized that these families contribute meaningfully to society, strengthening local economies through employment, entrepreneurship, and cultural engagement. Blocking this initiative, he argued, not only disrupts family unity but also denies these immigrants the chance to build a stable, secure future in the U.S. for themselves and their loved ones.
The ruling represents a major setback for an immigration agenda, which seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive framework for immigrant families residing in the U.S. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration reform efforts and state-level opposition, particularly from states that aim to restrict the scope of protections available to undocumented immigrants. The clash underscores the challenges faced in attempting to establish consistent immigration policies across diverse political landscapes. Nonetheless, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and other advocacy groups are expected to continue their efforts to press for legislative changes that would provide permanent solutions and security for immigrant families facing similar struggles. These groups argue that a comprehensive approach to immigration reform is essential for maintaining family unity, ensuring community stability, and fostering economic growth.
