Texas leads 16 states in lawsuit targeting Biden immigration program

• A legal challenge to the program was expected.

Context: Applications opened on Monday for the permanent residency program, which was announced in June.

• Applicants must prove they've been in the U.S. for at least 10 years before June 17 and be legally wed.
• The rule also applies to stepchildren of U.S. citizens who lack legal status.

State of play: Paxton asked a federal court in Texas to bar the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the policy until a trial is conducted.

• The lawsuit comes from Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana,, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming.
• The lawsuit said the program "will cause quantifiable financial harm" to the states involved.

The big picture: The program makes the process of getting a green card less risky.

• It's expected to help about 500,000 people legally work while bypassing rules that forced many to leave the U.S. for years if they entered without authorization.
• It would also allow another 50,000 people under 21 years old — stepchildren of citizens — to apply for a green card.

Go deeper: Undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens can apply for Biden program