Republican states challenged a Biden administration program that sponsored thousands of immigrants each month, but a U.S. district court in Texas dismissed their appeal on Friday.
Judge Drew Tipton said that the 21 states—led by Texas—had not shown sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the program, which permits up to 30,000 immigrants to enter the US each month, had injured them in any way. States said they are spending millions on public safety, healthcare, and education for the asylum seekers as a result of the scheme.
Tipton stated, "The court is considering a case in which the plaintiffs allege they were harmed by a program that actually reduced their out-of-pocket expenses."
Furthermore, the states said that the federal government's use of parole is "exceptionally limited" and should only be used in certain circumstances; Tipton did not address this point of contention.
As of January, at least 357,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have been accepted via the program since its inception in 2022. The Associated Press reports that thus far, at least 74,000 immigrants from Cuba, 138,000 individuals from Haiti, 58,000 individuals from Nicaragua, and 86,000 individuals from Venezuela have been granted entry.
The number of undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and other countries has dropped by as much as 44% since the program's inception, Tipton said in his judgment.
Immigrants must apply online, show up at an airport, and have a financial sponsor in the US in order to be approved under the program. Those that are accepted may get a work visa and remain for a period of two years.
Judge Drew Tipton said that the 21 states—led by Texas—had not shown sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the program, which permits up to 30,000 immigrants to enter the US each month, had injured them in any way. States said they are spending millions on public safety, healthcare, and education for the asylum seekers as a result of the scheme.
Tipton stated, "The court is considering a case in which the plaintiffs allege they were harmed by a program that actually reduced their out-of-pocket expenses."
Furthermore, the states said that the federal government's use of parole is "exceptionally limited" and should only be used in certain circumstances; Tipton did not address this point of contention.
As of January, at least 357,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have been accepted via the program since its inception in 2022. The Associated Press reports that thus far, at least 74,000 immigrants from Cuba, 138,000 individuals from Haiti, 58,000 individuals from Nicaragua, and 86,000 individuals from Venezuela have been granted entry.
The number of undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and other countries has dropped by as much as 44% since the program's inception, Tipton said in his judgment.
Immigrants must apply online, show up at an airport, and have a financial sponsor in the US in order to be approved under the program. Those that are accepted may get a work visa and remain for a period of two years.
