A Texas court has issued a temporary halt to a key immigration policy aimed at easing the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status. The ruling marks a significant setback for one of President Joe Biden’s major immigration reform initiatives.

The order, delivered by Judge Campbell Barker, imposes a 14-day administrative stay following a lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general from 16 U.S. states.

These states are challenging the legality of the Biden administration’s policy, which was introduced in June to streamline pathways to legal residency for an estimated half a million immigrants married to U.S. citizens.

Biden’s policy sought to simplify the immigration process for spouses by eliminating the requirement for applicants to leave the United States during the process.

Instead, those who already meet the qualifications for permanent residency would be allowed to stay in the country, reducing the risks and hardships that could arise from temporary separation.

The new rules specifically apply to immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least ten years and are married to American citizens before June 17, 2024. It also extends to an estimated 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens.

Those eligible under this policy would receive work authorization and temporary legal status for up to three years, allowing them to stay in the country while applying for a green card—a critical step toward achieving full U.S. citizenship.

However, the 16 states challenging the policy argue that it places a financial burden on their resources, including healthcare, education, and law enforcement services used by immigrants.

They claim that the new regulations would result in millions of dollars in costs to state public services, intensifying the legal debate over the reform.

The court’s decision to temporarily block the policy is seen as a significant obstacle for Biden’s immigration agenda, and the legal battle is expected to continue as both sides prepare for further hearings.