To qualify, applicants needed to have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least ten years, pay a $580 application fee, and pose no security risks.

On November 7, 2024, U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker ruled that the Biden administration's immigration policy was invalid, stating it exceeded the administration's legal authority.

This case is part of a broader series of legal challenges to Biden administration policies, which may remain undefended by the incoming Trump administration.

Fears of increased immigration enforcement, including potential mass deportations, are spreading among undocumented individuals in the U.S. as Trump prepares to take office.

The cancellation of the initiative raises significant uncertainty for immigrant families, who are now left to navigate a more hostile immigration landscape.

The initiative known as 'Keeping Families Together' aimed to support immigrant families by allowing undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card without leaving the country.

This program was expected to benefit approximately 500,000 immigrants by providing temporary relief from deportation and allowing them to work legally while pursuing citizenship.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey claimed that the federal government's actions contributed to a crisis at the southern border, prompting states to take legal measures to protect their communities.

Despite its potential, the program faced immediate legal challenges from Texas and 15 other states, led by Republican attorneys general who argued it violated federal immigration laws.

The ruling comes at a time of heightened anxiety among immigrant families, particularly with Donald Trump returning to the presidency and pledging a strict crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Barker's ruling followed a lawsuit alleging that the initiative was politically motivated and circumvented Congress, which raised concerns about its legality.

Despite the ruling, the Department of Homeland Security intends to continue defending the program in court and processing applications already filed.