Today, President Biden announced an executive action designed to promote family unity and permit long-time residents of the United States to remain in the United States with their U.S. citizen spouses. President Biden’s use of the existing Parole in Place (PIP) program would allow spouses of U.S. citizens to apply to remain in the United States and be granted legal entry, a process that is estimated to shield around 500,000 immigrants from deportation. Such an entry would permit them to apply for a green card in the United States and would not require them to leave the country.
Although the details on how to apply for the program are not yet announced, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided the specific criteria needed to be considered eligible for the program.
To apply for the program, you would likely need to meet these requirements:
- 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;
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024;
- Have no disqualifying criminal history or constitute a threat to national security or public safety; and,
- Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.
Similarly situated children would also be considered eligible for the PIP program. DHS has yet to indicate when the program would be implemented or the costs associated with such a filing, although the agency has stated that those details will be made available “in the near term.”
Get Legal Help for the PIP Program Update
As more details emerge about President Biden’s plan to protect spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation, our team at Brown Immigration Law will stay atop it. Be sure to visit our blog often for posts that cover important updates that you should know, especially if you think you or your spouse could qualify for the PIP program update.
If you have any questions about immigration, including how the recent Biden Administration announcement might apply to your circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact our law office at your convenience. You can also schedule an appointment with our immigration attorneys online. We offer our immigration services to clients nationwide.