Sixteen Republican-led states have filed a lawsuit to stop a federal program that offers nearly half a million undocumented migrants married to U.S. citizens a path to citizenship.

The program, launched by the Biden administration in June, allows eligible spouses to apply for “parole in place,” granting them permission to stay in the U.S., apply for a green card, and eventually pursue citizenship.

The lawsuit argues that the Biden administration bypassed Congress to implement this policy for political reasons, accusing it of abusing its power, The Guardian has reported.

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the suit, while supporters of the program argue it complies with the law and prevents the separation of families.

Written by B.C. Begley