Parole in Place (PIP) is Keeping Families Together
In continuing with his commitment to promote family unity, on Monday, August 19, 2024, President Joe Biden's new Parole in Place (PIP) program will begin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released guidance on how to apply. Anyone who has entered the country without inspection on or before June 17, 2014, has lived in the United States continuously since that date, and has been married to a U.S. citizen since on or before June 17, 2024, should pay close attention, as you may be eligible for PIP.
The Keeping Famiies Together program will allow qualified noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to request parole in place (PIP). For many families, if granted PIP, spouses and stepchildren could later be eligible to adjust status without having to apply for a waiver and lawfully enter from outside of the United States. Simply put, an estimated 500,000 noncitizens may be eligible to get green cards while avoiding the requirement of leaving the United States and re-entering lawfully.
USCIS states that to be considered for a discretionary grant of parole in place (PIP) under Keeping Families Together, you must meet these eligibility criteria:
If you are the noncitizen spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must:
Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2014, through the date of filing your request;
Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024;
Have no disqualifying criminal history and otherwise not deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security; and
Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting.
If you are the noncitizen stepchild of a U.S. citizen, you must:
Have been under the age of 21 and unmarried on June 17, 2024;
Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2024, through the date of filing your request;
Have a noncitizen parent who entered into a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024, and before your 18th birthday;
Have no disqualifying criminal history and otherwise not deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security*; and
Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting.
Details about this new PIP program are evolving, and USCIS already is reporting that scams and false information are rampant. For up-to-date, accurate details on PIP and to determine whether you are eligible, please schedule a legal consultation by sending an email to Armstrong Law Offices at info@armstronglawpllc.com.
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