Parole in Place Attorney

Parole in Place for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Parole in place is a process that grants certain undocumented immigrants some protections and privileges. The undocumented spouses and undocumented stepchildren of U.S. citizens grants temporary authorization to stay and work in the United States. The goal of parole in place is to keep families together and make citizenship easier for undocumented immigrants to apply for a Green Card.

Parole in place started accepting application in late August of 2024, and there are a lot of unknowns and questions about the whole process. It may be hard to know how to start and who can apply, but the Fresh Start Immigration Law is here to guide you through the parole process and beyond. Call us now to get started with our associated parole in place lawyers today.

Can I Apply for the Parole in Place Program?

The Keeping Families Together initiative recognized the essential role of immigrants by creating a pathway for undocumented immigrants to seek lawful residence and eventually citizenship. Parole in place (PIP) is only available to:

• Undocumented (or noncitizen) spouses of U.S. citizens
• Undocumented (or noncitizen) stepchildren of U.S. citizens

Parole in place is a temporary measure—anyone approved for parole must later apply for an adjustment of status to continue on their path towards a Green Card.

Eligibility for Parole in Process

If you are the noncitizen spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must:

• Have been legally married to your spouse on or before June 17^th, 2024
• Not be a threat to the safety and security of the public and nation
• Not have a disqualifying criminal record
• Agree to requested background checks and vetting
• Have been in the physically and continuously been in the U.S. for ten years, starting June 17th, 2014 and up through the date of your PIP request.
• Be in the U.S. without “admission or parole”

If you are a non-citizen stepchild, you have many of the same requirements, with some key differences:

• As of June 17^th, 2024, you must have been under 21 years of age and unmarried
• Have been in the physically and continuously been in the since June 17th, 2024 and up through the date of your PIP request.
• Have a parent who legally married a U.S. citizen on or before June 17^th, 2024 and before you turned 18 years of age

The criminal record, national security, admission or parole requirements, and consent to vetting and background checks are the same. You can see the details on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Keeping Families Together page for in-depth information. You can also call Fresh Start Immigration Law for help from our associated parole in place attorneys.

How Does Adjustment of Status Work with Parole in Place?

If you are approved for a parole in place status, you have a three-year parole period. During this time, you can apply for an adjustment of status if you are eligible to do so. This allows you to begin the process of applying for a Green Card.

Please note that parole in place does not grant you permanent resident status or citizenship. You must take steps to adjust your status after approval for parole in place.

What Should I Expect When I Apply for Parole in Place?

Here’s what you need to know about applying for parole in place:

• The I-131F application is online only. Paper applications will not be accepted. You can review the filing guide form provided by the USCIS.
• Every applicant must create their own account to apply online.
• Eligibility does not mean automatic approval. The USCIS approved PIP applicants at its discretion.
• You must provide multiple forms of proof to support your request for PIP. This means showing proof of identity, proof of citizenship for your stepparent or spouse, proof of relationship with your spouse or stepparent, evidence of physical presence, and other requested documents.
• You must make your payment online.
• You cannot appeal a USCIS decision. You can, however, submit a new request and payment.

Our associated legal team can help you with this process and review your rights. Call Fresh Start Immigration Law today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions for Parole in Place Attorneys

Parole in place is a very recent initiative under the Biden-Harris Administration, and it’s understandable that you have many questions. Here are some quick answers to some of the most common questions our associated immigration attorneys have seen:

When Will the 2024 Parole in Place Rule Take Effect?

President Biden made an announcement on June 18th, 2024 about the Keeping Families Together process, outlining the goals and actions of these immigration reforms.

Eligible undocumented spouses started applying this new parole in place initiative as of August 19^th, 2024. If you tried to apply for this process before this date, your application was rejected, and you will have to apply again.

Can You Travel With Parole in Place?

No, you cannot travel with parole in place. This would violate the continuous and physically present requirements for PIP applicants. If you try to travel with a PIP status, you may no longer be eligible for the process.

When Can I Apply For Parole in Place?

The USCIS began accepting applications for Keeping Families Together on August 19th, 2024. There is no closing deadline for this program.

If you are the noncitizen spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must have been in the U.S. “continuously physically present for at least 10 years” as of June 17^th, 2024. If you are the noncitizen stepchild of a U.S. citizen, you are required to be continuously and physically present in the U.S. since June 17^th, 2024.

How Do I Apply for Parole in Place?

To apply for the parole in place program you need to:

• Fill out and submit Form I-131F (Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens).
  • You must file online.
  • Every applicant needs to create a separate account to apply.
• Pay the $580 fee online.

You will need to provide supporting documentation, like photo identification, evidence of your relative’s citizenship, and other documents that support your claim. Keep in mind that the parole in place approval is for a limited window of time and it does not guarantee you permanent resident status or citizenship.

Who Qualifies for Parole in Place?

Parole in place is available to two groups: noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. These parties must:

• Meet specific residency requirements for physical residence in the United States
• establish the lawful marriage to their spouse or the lawful marriage of their parent and stepparent
• Have a clean criminal record
• Live in the U.S. “without admission or parole”

These requirements are a general overview of eligibility for parole in place. For more details about these requirements, speak with a parole in place lawyer.

Let Fresh Start Immigration Law Guide Your Family Through Parole in Place

This is an exciting time for you and your loved ones, and our associated attorneys would be honored to help you through this process and deal with any issues that might come up along the way. Call Fresh Start Immigration Law today to see how our associated parole in place lawyers can help your family.