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New Parole Program that Enables Spouses of U.S. Citizens to Become Eligible for Permanent Residency Opens August 19, 2024

Writer's picture: Mobility ImmigrationMobility Immigration

On June 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced the establishment of a new parole program that will provide Parole-in-Place to certain spouses of U.S. citizens who have been present in the United States for at least 10 years to become eligible to obtain lawful permanent residents. This announcement is a welcome relief to families across the country as it is estimated that over 50,000 spouses and children of U.S. citizens will be able to benefit from the new parole program and soon be eligible to obtain a green card.


It is important to know that the new parole program is not open yet. USCIS will begin accepting applications under the new parole program, titled “Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families”, on August 19, 2024. USCIS will reject any applications received prior to that date. Additional information – including the forms and fees that will be required – will be published in the forthcoming Federal Register.  


What is Parole-in-Place and Who Can Benefit from it?

The process of applying for lawful permanent residency inside the United States is called adjustment of status. Through adjustment of status, individuals who are present in the United States are able to obtain their green card without having to leave the country. In order to be eligible for adjustment of status, immediate family members of U.S. citizens (spouses, children under 21, and parents) must have been “admitted or inspected” into the United States. In simple terms, this means that the person must have entered the country with permission (i.e. with a visa, visa waiver, or parole).

Individuals who entered the country without permission are not eligible for adjustment of status, but instead must depart from the United States and obtain their immigrant visa at a consulate in their home country in order to return as a permanent resident. The complication with this rule is that any individual who has accumulated over one year of unlawful presence in the United States is subject to a 10-year bar of inadmissibility. This means that the individual is not eligible to obtain a visa or return to the United States for 10 years after leaving the country, even if they have an approved immigrant visa petition. Currently, the only option for spouses of U.S. citizens who have been in the United States who entered the United States without permission and have been present without status for more than one year to be able to obtain permanent residency is to apply for a waiver of unlawful presence prior to leaving for their consulate interview outside the country. However, the waiver process is incredibly long, complicated, and expensive, and approval is not guaranteed. The costs, complications, and uncertainty of the process dissuades many from even trying.


The new parole-in-place program offers these individuals a significantly easier, faster, and less expensive alternative to the waiver process without having to risk being stranded outside the United States for 10 years. Under the new program, certain spouses of U.S. citizens will be able to receive parole without leaving the country. In other words, they will be “admitted” into the country via parole without having to leave the country, making them eligible to apply for permanent residency through adjustment of status.


Who can apply for Parole under the Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families?

DHS has announced the requirements for spouses to be eligible for parole-in-place through the Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families. In order to qualify for parole-in-place, you must meet the following criteria:


  • 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; and

  • Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.


USCIS will grant parole on a case-by-case discretionary basis. This means that in addition to the criteria above, and individual must not have disqualifying criminal history or have committed any acts that would demonstrate that they constitute a threat to national security or public safety.


Children of applicants will also be eligible to apply for parole-in-place if they have been present in the United States and have a qualifying stepchild relationship to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.


What Can Individuals Do Now to Prepare Before the Parole Process Opens on August 19, 2024?

As mentioned, the Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families will open on August 19, 2024. While waiting for process to open, individuals can begin gathering evidence that the meet the criteria described above, including:


  • Civil documents of applicant

    • Copy of birth certificate (with English translation)

    • Foreign passport

    • Two passport-style photographs

    • Copy of employment authorization document (work permit), if applicable)\

  • Proof of legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024, including:

    • Copy of marriage certificate

    • Evidence that spouse is a U.S. citizen (i.e. U.S. birth certificate, passport, or Naturalization Certificate)

    • Evidence of a bona fide marriage (photographs, birth certificate of children, copies of income taxes filed jointly, joint bank accounts, etc.)

  • Proof of continuous presence in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024, such as:

    • Documents demonstrating date of entry into U.S. (I-94, Passport entry stamp, etc.)

    • Notices/correspondence from USCIS, EOIR, or other government agencies

    • Copy of U.S. driver’s license

    • School records/transcripts

    • Medical records

    • Tax returns, IRS Form W-2/W-9, Paystubs

    • Employment verification letter from employer including dates of employment

    • Receipts, bills, and/or statements for utilities, insurance, other expenses

    • Bank account/credit card statements

    • Rental agreements, mortgage, or other documents related to residence.

  • Documentation pertaining to discretionary factors

    • Certified records pertaining to any criminal arrest and/or conviction

    • Birth certificates of any U.S. citizen children

    • Evidence of participation in religious or other community organizations

    • Character reference letters


Please keep in mind that additional details related to the application and required forms, fees, and evidence will be published soon. We will provide updated information as soon as it is available.


If you have any questions about the new parole-in-place program, the process of becoming a permanent resident, or any other immigration related issue, please contact our office at info@mobilityim.com.



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