Parole in Place for Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024, that provides details on the Parole in Place (PIP) program for noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. Those approved for PIP will generally be able to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status without having to leave the United States and apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate overseas. Parolees are considered lawfully present in the United States during their period of parole. They are also able to apply for employment authorization.

Applicants will use Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizens Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens. The I-131F application form cannot be filed on paper and is only available for online filing. The form fee is $580 and includes biometrics. There is no fee waiver availability.

On August 26, 2024, Judge J. Campbell Barker in the Eastern District of Texas, ordered an administrative stay of the Keeping Families Together parole process for noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. The stay prohibits the federal government from granting pending parole in place requests under this program for at least 14 days. However, USCIS will continue accepting I-131F applications online. USCIS has indicated on the Keeping Families Together webpage that the administrative stay order does not affect applications that were approved prior to the issuance of the administrative stay order.

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