On June 17, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the creation of Keeping Families Together, a process by which certain noncitizen spouses and noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens may request parole in place. The program is now open for applications.
Parole in place is a discretionary policy which, if granted, allows requestors to apply for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident without being required to leave the United States and be processed by a U.S. consulate overseas. Recipients may also immediately apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS.
Under Keeping Families Together, a noncitizen spouse or stepchild of a U.S. citizen may request parole in place if they are present in the U.S. without admission or parole. To be eligible to seek parole in place as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, an applicant must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since June 17, 2014, and must have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024.
If seeking parole in place as the stepchild of a U.S. citizen, an applicant must have been under the age of 21 and unmarried on June 17, 2024, and must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. since at least June 17, 2024, through the date of filing their request. Applicants must also have a noncitizen parent who entered into a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024, and before the applicant’s 18th birthday.
Applicants from both categories must also demonstrate that they have no disqualifying criminal history, and must not otherwise not be deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security.
To request parole in place under the Keeping Families Together program, applicants must submit Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens, online with the applicable filing fee.
See the USCIS website at uscis.gov/keepingfamiliestogether for more detailed information. The formal rule is expected to be released tomorrow, August 20, 2024, in the Federal Register.
Should you have any questions about your eligibility for Keeping Families Together, please contact Stephen Antwine at santwine@gands-us.com or 215-395-8959.
