Judge dismisses Texas lawsuit challenging Biden’s parole policy for immigrants of certain nationalities

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A federal judge has issued a surprising ruling dismissing a Texas lawsuit against the Biden administration’s policy that allows immigrants of certain nationalities to fly to the United States if they have a U.S. sponsor.

The case focused on a parole program that allows immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to apply to the United States and, if approved, live there temporarily. The policy allows up to 30,000 immigrants from these four countries to come to the U.S. each month, and more than 386,000 of these nationalities have arrived in the U.S. since the policy began more than a year ago. Masu.

Officials cite policies to deter these nationalities from crossing the border by providing legal routes into the country. But Republicans have stepped up attacks in recent months on President Joe Biden’s broader immigration policies, arguing that the agency is using its parole powers too broadly and calling the Biden administration’s use of the parole system too broad. is blaming.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton, appointed by former President Donald Trump, ruled Friday that Texas and other Republican-led states failed to prove how they were harmed by the program early last year. The appeal filed was dismissed.

The states argued that the Biden administration did not go through a notice-and-comment rulemaking process before enacting the rules and that the policy exceeded the administration’s authority.

Texas also argued that the program imposes “significant financial costs” on states because they must provide services such as “driver’s licenses, health care, education, and enforcement and correctional services.”

But Tipton did not consider the merits of the case in his dismissal, saying the state of Texas had not shown standing to sue. He wrote that the parole program “actually reduced (Texas’) out-of-pocket costs,” and noted that illegal entry into the United States by immigrants from four countries decreased after implementation.

CNN has reached out to the Texas Attorney General’s Office for comment.

The White House said it welcomed the ruling and reiterated its call for Congress to pass a stalled border security agreement.

“While the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to expanding legal routes into the United States, there will be consequences for those who do not take advantage of these processes and have no legal basis to remain in the United States,” a White House spokesperson said. “I will bring it to fruition.” statement.

Supporters of the policy celebrated the dismissal on Friday.

“Today’s decision is a victory for the 1.5 million people who jumped at the chance to sponsor a loved one under this program,” said Monica Langarica, senior staff attorney at the UCLA School of Law’s Center on Immigration Law and Policy. The participants in the incident support the regime.

She added that the ruling is “a significant repudiation of Texas’ attempt to hold immigration policy hostage to the entire nation.”

Texas officials have filed a number of legal challenges against the Biden administration, at odds over the handling of immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border.

Tipton on Friday ruled in favor of Texas and Mississippi in a separate case, blocking the Biden administration from using funds set aside by Congress for border wall construction for other border-related purposes. . The preliminary injunction will be suspended for seven days to allow time for appeal.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Tierney Snead contributed to this report.