Parole in Place
Updated 08-30-24
On August 19, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented the Keeping Families Together program. Qualifying undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens will be eligible for parole in place (PIP).
On August 26, a federal judge in Texas issued an order temporarily pausing DHS from approving PIP applications. The order responded to a lawsuit filed by sixteen states alleging that the new program is an abuse of DHS power. The judge will hold further hearings over the next few weeks. You can continue to prepare and send your application. However, they are not being approved for now.
ICIRR and our partners will continue to demand a legislative pathway to legalization for all and executive actions that provide protections to as many people as possible. SIGN UP HERE to take future actions.
Contact one of ICIRR’s partner organizations if you’re interested in applying for PIP:
Benefits
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People who are approved will get a three-year parole, during which they qualify for work permits and would need to file for lawful permanent resident status.
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Parole will qualify undocumented spouses who entered without a visa or other inspection to apply for green cards without leaving the US (as they would otherwise be required to do, triggering a 3- to 10-year reentry bar).
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Parole will NOT waive any other bars that could block someone getting a green card (such as those involving criminal convictions, false claims to citizenship, and document fraud). These bars will not disqualify someone from getting parole, but could still prevent someone from getting a green card. Providing information in a parole application could flag issues for USCIS that could lead to deportation.
Qualifications
Spouses:
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Entered the US without inspection or parole, that is, did not enter the US on a visa or with status
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Present in the US for 10 years since 6/17/2024, that is, entered the US on or before 6/17/2014
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Married to a US citizen on or before 6/17/2024
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No “disqualifying criminal history” or “threat to national security or public safety”
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Warrant favorable exercise of discretion
Stepchildren:
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Entered the US without inspection or parole
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Has a parent who married a US citizen on or before 6/17/2024 and before the child’s 18th birthday
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Was present in the US continuously since 6/17/2024
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No “disqualifying criminal history” or “threat to national security or public safety”
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Warrant favorable exercise of discretion
Applications will be considered case-by-case.
Major Disqualifications
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Entering the US with a visa or other inspection
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Entering the US after 6/17/2014 (for spouses)
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Convictions for a felony or certain serious offenses (For a comprehensive list, visit uscis.gov/keepingfamiliestogether/faq)
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Pending criminal charges (Applicants can apply after the charges are resolved)
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Prior deportation orders
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People with pending unexecuted orders as presumptively ineligible
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People who were previously removed and returned to the US are ineligible
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How to Apply
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Submit a Form I-131F online. You can create a USCIS account at my.uscis.gov. The form includes a question asking why the applicant should be granted parole (minimum 750 characters). You can use this filing guide to complete the form.
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Pay the $580 application fee. No fee waivers are available. It does not include fees for the employment authorization document ($470 online / $520 paper), sponsoring petition ($625 online / $675 paper), or adjustment (green card) application ($1,440).
Beware of scams! Do not believe or give money or documents to non accredited individuals who say they can “save a place in line” or offer to help you fill out an application.
If you need support with completing your PIP application, please contact an ICIRR partner organization.