Federal Court Issues Order Blocking Keeping Families Together Parole-In-Place Program

On November 7, 2024, Judge Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled that the states, led by the State of Texas, challenging the Keeping Families Together Program, had standing to sue and found that the Department of Homeland Security did not have statutory authority to implement the program.

With the program vacated by the court’s order, no further applications will be approved or accepted. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet announced whether it intends to appeal the decision. However, even if an appeal is filed, it is extremely unlikely that any appellate decision could reinstate the program Donald Trump assumes office on January 20, 2024. Because Trump was expected to cancel the program upon assuming office, it appears nearly certain that between this court decision and the result of the election, the Keeping Families Together Program will not be implemented.

Applications already submitted will not be approved. As of yet, there has been no announcement on whether filing fees will be returned to those who submitted and paid for their I-131F applications.