AG leads coalition to protect undocumented Caribbean nationals

NEW YORK (CMC):

New York Attorney General, Letitia James, is leading a coalition of 20 attorneys general in the United States in filing an amicus brief in support of the US federal programme “Keeping Families Together”, which allows certain undocumented Caribbean and other spouses and stepchildren of US citizens to apply for permanent residence.

The brief filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, argues that the federal government has the authority to implement this programme to protect family unity.

James and the coalition also argue that protecting family unity has been a hallmark of US immigration policy for decades and should be upheld.

“Tearing families apart because of their immigration status is incredibly cruel,” said James, adding that the “Keeping Families Together” programme offers mixed-status families a path to citizenship without having to worry about being separated.

“It is a common-sense policy and that is why I am leading a coalition of attorneys general to support this program and help mixed-status families in New York and around the country.”

James noted that, in August 2024, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a process under which certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of US citizens living in the United States can apply for a discretionary grant of immigration parole.

She said the process allows certain undocumented family members to apply for permanent residence without first needing to depart the United States.

The coalition argues in their brief that the federal government has the authority to determine and implement immigration parole programmes.

The brief points to several previous parole-in-place immigration programmes that were implemented going back decades as an example of the federal government’s authority over immigration parole programmes.

Moreover, James and the coalition say that “Keeping Families Together”is a core principle of US immigration policy and has strong benefits for families, as well as for neighbourhoods, communities and local economies.

Joining Attorney General James in filing Monday’s brief were the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.