Coalition of Republican states sues Biden administration over immigration program

A collection of 16 Republican states, led by Texas, sued the Biden administration on Friday over its "parole in place" immigration program. 

The states claimed the program, which would create a pathway to citizenship for thousands of illegal immigrants, illegally bypassed Congress in order to create the pathway for "political purposes," per CBS News.

"This action incentivizes illegal immigration and will irreparably harm the Plaintiff states," the suit said. 

The program, which was launched on Monday, allows spouses of American citizens to stay in the country legally and apply for a green card. They would also be on the path to becoming American citizens. 

In order to qualify for the program, the spouse must have been in the United States for at least 10 years, have no disqualifying criminal history, and have been married to the U.S. citizen by June 17. 

The Biden administration said that it will defend the policy and that the lawsuit is proof that Republicans are "playing politics" with the border, rather than trying to find a legitimate solution to the immigration system. 

"This lawsuit is seeking to force U.S. citizens and their families, people who have lived in the United States for more than ten years, to continue to live in the shadows," the White House spokesperson said.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.