The Biden-Harris administration is set to issue millions of dollars in refunds to immigrants who applied for an amnesty program that was recently struck down by a court.
The program, known as Keeping Families Together, was designed to help undocumented migrants who are married to U.S. citizens. It promised them a chance to apply for citizenship without leaving the country. Unfortunately, the program faced legal challenges, and a court ruled it was unlawful, leaving many applicants in limbo.
In response, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is refunding the $580 application fee to approximately 94,000 individuals who paid to be part of this program. According to CBS News, the refunds are in line with the law and are being issued in the public’s best interest.
USCIS explained that because the court invalidated the program, those who paid the fee are no longer eligible for the benefit they applied for. The agency emphasized that these refunds are not the applicants’ fault, but a result of the court’s decision.
President Joe Biden introduced the Keeping Families Together program in June 2024. It allowed undocumented spouses of American citizens to apply for permanent residency without having to leave the U.S. first. Normally, immigrants in this situation must leave the country to apply for legal status. Biden’s plan expanded a policy called “parole-in-place,” which would have allowed applicants to stay in the U.S. during the application process.
The program was expected to impact up to half a million immigrants, with some estimates suggesting it could affect over a million individuals. However, opposition was swift, with a coalition of states suing to block the program. In August 2024, the court temporarily paused the program, and by November, the judge ruled it to be unlawful.
The decision to issue refunds amounts to about $55 million, according to CBS News.
Critics of the plan, like America First Legal senior advisor Ian Prior, argue that the administration’s actions are wasteful and disregard the concerns of American citizens. They point to the ongoing debates over student loan forgiveness and other policies as examples of government spending that they consider harmful.
As the legal battles continue, the Biden administration seems to be moving forward with refunds, signaling an end to the Keeping Families Together program in its current form.
