The decision by Texas-based U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker maintains a pause on the program through Sept. 23 to allow for legal briefing and a possible hearing.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration opened applications last month for the Keeping Families Together program, which offers a path to citizenship to around 500,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally if they are married to U.S. citizens.

Texas and a coalition of U.S. states with Republican attorneys general sued to end the Biden program, saying it overstepped the executive branch's authority to grant legal immigration status to people who entered unlawfully and circumvented U.S. immigration law.

Biden announced the initiative in June before dropping out of the presidential race against Republican Donald Trump, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.

Immigration is a top voter concern heading into the Nov. 5 election, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.

Keeping Families Together provides a path to citizenship to immigrant spouses who entered the U.S. illegally and have at least 10 years of residence. Without this option, many would need to leave the U.S. for years before being able to return legally.

The program also allows some 50,000 children under age 21 with a U.S.-citizen parent to obtain temporary "parole" status that creates a path to citizenship.

America First Legal, an organization led by Trump adviser Stephen Miller, served as co-counsel in the lawsuit alongside Texas and 15 other states with Republican attorneys general.