On Monday, the Biden Administration began accepting applications for the new Parole in Place program that would reduce barriers to a green card for 500,000 people across the country (see MIRA’s Fact Sheet). While the new “Parole in Place” program does not create a new pathway to US citizenship (only Congress can do that), it does remove a major hurdle for many who would otherwise not be able to advance along an existing pathway by allowing them to apply for an immigration visa without leaving the US.
Spouses and Stepchildren of US citizens may be eligible to apply for Parole in Place:
For Spouses:
- Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
- Have been living in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024;
- Be married to a US citizen as of June 17, 2024; and
- Have no disqualifying criminal convictions.
For Stepchildren:
- Be present in the United States without admission or parole
- Have a parent who entered into a legally valid marriage* on or before June 17, 2024 and before the child’s 18th birthday*;
- Unmarried and under the age of 21 as of June 17, 2024;
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2024 and through the date of filing; and
- Have no disqualifying criminal history.
Individuals approved through this program will generally receive 3 years of parole and be eligible to apply for work authorization with a fee waiver. Recipients will also be able to apply for an immigration visa here in the US rather than having to go through consular processing outside the country.
Applications must be submitted online using Form I-131F along with the $580 filing fee and all supporting documents.
MIRA will provide a webinar for service providers on Wednesday August 28 @1pm (registration required).
USCIS will be hosting a series of engagements, in English and Spanish, to review the Keeping Families Together process and how to complete Form I-131F.
Visit their Keeping Families Together page and their frequently asked questions page for more information about the process and eligibility requirements.
No registration is required for these engagements: