On June 18, President Joe Biden announced a new initiative allowing the spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for “parole-in-place” status with the Department of Homeland Security. Although the application process has not yet begun, the program could grant temporary protections and work permits to as many as 550,000 people in the United States. It allows paroled persons to pursue green cards with their spouses without facing prolonged family separation.
Under current law, U.S. citizens can petition for a non-citizen spouse to gain permanent residency. However, many unauthorized immigrants who are eligible for legal status find the current process inaccessible and risky. The new parole program introduced by the Biden administration seeks to address these inefficiencies. Even with potential future changes to the program, paroled persons will face fewer obstacles in their pursuit of permanent residence.
Addressing a Critical Issue: Helping Spouses of U.S. Citizens Achieve Legal Status
Spouses of U.S. citizens are typically eligible for immigrant visas as “immediate relatives,” making them eligible for legal permanent residence and eventual U.S. citizenship. However, the process for adjusting status can be complicated for those who entered the U.S. without inspection. This has created barriers for many of the estimated 1.2 million spouses of U.S. citizens seeking green cards, despite being eligible on paper. To address these challenges and promote the unity and stability of families, new policies such as the Parole in Place program have been introduced. The parole-in-place program allows eligible non-citizen spouses to adjust status in the U.S., avoiding reentry bars and preserving family unity.
Federal law allows immigrants “inspected and admitted” or “paroled” into the U.S. to adjust status without leaving. Those who entered without inspection must leave and apply abroad, often triggering reentry bars for unlawful presence.
The Innovative Solution: Parole-in-Place
Who Benefits: Immigrants and Their U.S. Citizen Families
The parole-in-place program is available to those who meet specific criteria: continuous residence in the U.S. since June 17, 2014, physical presence in the U.S. on June 17, 2024, legal marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024, entry into the U.S. without admission or parole, and a clean criminal record. Approximately 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens, along with 50,000 stepchildren, are expected to qualify for this program.
The countdown is on for President Biden’s parole-in-place policy, effective August 19, 2024!
Preparing for Your Application
At Boyer Law Firm, our experienced immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through the application process. We are committed to helping paroled persons and their families explore all available legal options.
Book a consultation with one of Boyer Law Firm’s skilled attorneys to discuss your pathway to legal status. Contact us today via private message, call us at (904) 236-5317, or fill out the contact form on our website for more information. Stay connected with us for updates and useful information!
