On June 18th the Department of Homeland Security announced a new process to apply for parole for certain individuals who have U.S. citizen family members that could help them in eventually applying for a green card or permanent residency. This new process will focus on family unity for US citizens and their noncitizen spouses. Applications will be accepted starting on August 19, 2024.
If approved, certain spouses and children of U.S. citizens may be able to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the US!
As of now, the requirements for this process include;
- Presence in the United States without admission or parole (often referred to as an illegal entry or specifically an entry without inspection);
- Continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024; and
- Legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
Other requirements can include, but are not necessarily limited to;
- No disqualifying criminal history or threat to national security or public safety;
- Favorable exercise of discretion; and
- Noncitizen children of requestors may also be considered, if they are physically in the US without admission or parole. They must also have a qualifying stepchild relationship to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
Although applications for this process will not be accepted until August 19th, you can begin to prepare now. Applicants can begin to gather documents and evidence for their applications, such as a valid marriage certificate, documents demonstrating applicant’s continuous presence in the US (examples include statements, receipts, school records, leasing agreements), identification documents (e.g. passports, identification cards), and proof of spouse’s U.S. citizenship status (such as a valid birth certificate or U.S. passport)
If you believe you may be eligible for this new DHS parole process, contact a reputable immigration law firm like The Modi Law Firm, PLLC to discuss the application.