From our New Orelans-based immigration attorneys at Pelton + Balducci, here’s what you need to know about this new program.[/vc_column_text][fancy-ul icon_type=”standard_check” color=”Accent-Color” alignment=”left” spacing=”default” link_style=”default”]
- IMPORTANT UPDATE: On July 17, 2024, USCIS announced that it will begin to accept applications on August 19. Do not apply before this date.
Individuals who have entered the U.S. unlawfully usually must return to their home country in order to apply for permanent residency. This departure can create substantial risks, delays, and costs. Most individuals who have entered the United States lawfully and are married to a U.S. citizen do not have to return to their home country to apply for permanent residency. This new program would give qualifying spouses of U.S. citizens the equivalent of a lawful entry into the U.S. and therefore allow them to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Eligibility Criteria for the Parole in Place Program” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23040762″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]We only have very preliminary information on this program at this point, and not all undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens will qualify. What we know at this point is that to be eligible, the spouses must have:
- lived in the United States for 10 years,
- been married to an American citizen as of June 17, and
- cannot have a criminal record.
It is expected that roughly 500,000 spouses and 50,000 children would benefit from the program.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”What You Can Do Now to Prepare Your Application” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23040762″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]
Although applications are not yet being accepted, there are steps you can take to prepare for the Parole in Place (PIP) application process:
- Gather Evidence of Eligibility:
- Legally valid marriage: Marriage certificate.
- Proof of identity: Valid or expired driver’s license, ID, birth certificate with photo ID, passport, or any government-issued document with your name, date of birth, and photo.
- Spouse’s U.S. citizenship: Passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization.
- 10 years of continuous presence: Rent receipts, utility bills, school records, medical records, attestations of residence, religious records, money order receipts, birth certificates of children born in the U.S., bank statements, car registration, deeds/mortgages, insurance policies, tax records.
- Noncitizen Children: If applying for children, gather their birth certificates or adoption decrees, your marriage certificate, and proof of their presence in the U.S. as of June 17, 2024.
- Create or Update myUSCIS Account: Consider setting up or updating your myUSCIS account at my.uscis.gov for easier application submission when the time comes.
- Beware of fraud: The program is not in place now and it is not expected that PIP will take place until the end of summer. It’s important to follow the news to know when the program will take effect.
- Unresolved details: There are still many details to be clarified. Things we don’t know:
- What kind of criminal history would disqualify one from the program?
- How will prior immigration history (e.g., a prior removal order, multiple unlawful entries, etc.) impact eligibility for the program?
- Parole in Place vs. permanent residency: Parole-in-place is different from permanent residency. It’s possible that eligibility for parole-in-place will not translate into eligibility for permanent residency.
- Potential legal challenges: Although the legal basis for parole is different from that used for deferred action (which was used for DACA), it is likely that there will be legal challenges to the program, which could stall it.
Contact our team today to discuss what this new program could mean for you and your family.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” text=”Contact us for a consultation” url=”https://pbimmigration.com/contact-pelton-balducci-immigration-law-firm/”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
