On June 18, 2024, President Biden announced a new effort to help undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens be able to remain together while applying for legal permanent residency. Non-citizen children of requestors may also be eligible though it is advised to consult with a trustworthy immigration lawyer to assess one’s individual case, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency is tasked with reviewing requests for parole in place. To be eligible, USCIS states that individuals must meet the following requirements:
- “Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
- Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024;
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024;
- Not have any disqualifying criminal history or otherwise constitute a threat to national security or public safety; and
- Otherwise merit a favorable exercise of discretion.”
Please note that USCIS will begin reviewing applications for Parole in Place for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens beginning on August 19, 2024, on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to reviewing the official information about Parole in Place from USCIS, and consulting with a trustworthy immigration lawyer, there are a few more resources below to consider checking out.
“Keeping Americans Together: Parole in Place for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens” by Fwd.Us — This is an overview of the Parole in Place program, including estimates on how many individuals may be able to benefit.
“Biden Announces Two Executive Actions on Immigration To Begin Later This Summer” by Lal Legal — This is a helpful description of how the Parole in Place program works, including helpful advice on how to prepare to apply once USCIS begins accepting applications.
Additional reading recommendations on Parole in Place:
“New Parole Program for Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens and Process Improvements for Employment-Based Visas for DACA Recipients and Other Undocumented Graduates” by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc (CLINIC)
“The Biden Administration’s Parole-in-Place Announcement: Helping Mixed-Status Families Stay Together and Avoid Bureaucratic Traps” by the American Immigration Council
“Know Your Rights: Parole-in-Place for Spouses And Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens” by National Immigrant Justice Center
“FAQ: Parole in Place Expansion” by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Please note that although we aim to provide the most accurate information, the information in this website should not be taken as legal advice.
At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advance Parole, news on DAPA, and much more. Most importantly, we want to provide a sense of community to our diverse group of readers. Learn more about our work here: “About Us“
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