A group of undocumented immigrants and their families is seeking to intervene in a federal lawsuit to defend the Biden administration’s “parole in place” program that provides legal relief to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens.

The program suffered at least a temporary setback on Monday as it was paused by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, who alleged in a statement that claims filed by 16 Republican-led states against the program “are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date.”

The judge laid out a timetable that could produce a decision shortly before the presidential election or before a newly elected president takes office in January, according to The Associated Press.

The parole in place program seeks to address the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, who typically have to leave the country to legalize their status, risking prolonged or permanent separation from their families. The program allows them to apply for a green card and eventually citizenship without leaving the country.

The program suffered at least a temporary setback on Monday as it was paused by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, who alleged in a statement that claims filed by 16 Republican-led states against the program “are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date.”

The judge laid out a timetable that could produce a decision shortly before the presidential election or before a newly elected president takes office in January, according to The Associated Press.

The parole in place program seeks to address the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, who typically have to leave the country to legalize their status, risking prolonged or permanent separation from their families. The program allows them to apply for a green card and eventually citizenship without leaving the country.