Biden program could give US citizenship through marriage to nearly half a million people without legal status

Opponents are suing to end a federal program that could potentially give nearly half a million migrants without legal status who are married to US citizens a path to citizenship.

Sixteen Republican-led states filed suit on Friday to halt the program launched by Joe Biden in June, saying in court filings that the Biden administration bypassed Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for “blatant political purposes”.

Under the policy, which started taking applications on Monday, many spouses without legal status can apply for something called “parole in place”, offering permission to stay in the US, apply for a green card and eventually get on a path to citizenship.