WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department is ceasing preparations for a program designed to shield millions of immigrants from deportation. That decision comes as a result of Monday's federal court ruling temporarily halting it.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh (jay) Johnson says his agency will stop working on the program to protect parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents until further notice.

Late Monday a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the program and a second effort to shield young immigrants from deportation as part of an ongoing lawsuit involving 26 states.

The ruling means that the Homeland Security Department also won't be accepting applications for an expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was to start Wednesday. The effort to protect immigrant parents living in the country illegally was to start in May.