A group of undocumented immigrants and their families are seeking to intervene in federal court to defend a new program initiated by the Biden administration, titled Keeping Families Together. The program aims to offer a form of legal relief known as "parole in place" to approximately half a million undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, enabling them to more easily apply for permanent residency and citizenship.

Six undocumented immigrants, along with their U.S. citizen spouses, filed a motion on Monday to join the government in defending the program against a lawsuit brought forth by 16 Republican-led states, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. These immigrants and their families argue that the lawsuit, if successful, would tear families apart and cause unnecessary hardship.

Among the immigrants seeking to intervene is Foday Turay, who was brought to the U.S. as a child from Sierra Leone. Turay, who is currently working as a prosecutor in Philadelphia, is married to an American citizen and has a one-year-old son. Turay expressed frustration at the constant fear he faces of being separated from his family and community and highlighted the importance of a program like Keeping Families Together.

Undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens can apply to legalize their status but are typically required to leave the country, leading to potential years-long or permanent separation from their families. The parole-in-place program, however, allows them to apply for a green card and eventual citizenship without leaving the United States. To qualify, applicants must prove continuous residence in the U.S. for at least ten years, marriage to an American citizen prior to June 17, 2021, and pass a criminal background check.

The Texas attorney general's office, in announcing the lawsuit, argues that the parole in place program violates laws created by Congress and exacerbates the issue of illegal immigration. The other states involved in the lawsuit share similar concerns. They are assisted by America First Legal, a group founded by Stephen Miller, the former senior adviser to President Donald Trump known for his involvement in shaping immigration policies.

The lawsuit poses an immediate threat to the program, as the states request an immediate halt while the court hears the case. However, the immigrants and their legal counsel are pushing to intervene in order to provide personal testimonies and protect their interests, making their defense of the program stronger.

Esther Sung, legal director of Justice Action Center, which represents the immigrants, emphasized the importance of including the voices and experiences of those who stand to benefit from Keeping Families Together parole in the court's decision-making process.

Aside from its impact on immigrants and their families, the parole in place program could also have political implications, with an estimated 60,000 qualifying individuals residing in swing states. While they cannot vote, their U.S. citizen spouses can, potentially affecting the upcoming November election.

The question of whether undocumented immigrants are a net fiscal burden or benefit remains controversial, often aligning with different ideological perspectives. However, Foday Turay and other parole in place qualifiers argue that they are established taxpayers who have been contributing to their communities for years.

As the case awaits the decision of Judge J. Campbell Barker, the intervention of these immigrants and their families in the lawsuit reflects their determination to protect their rights and the future of Keeping Families Together.