New Parole-in-Place Program Accepting Applications Aug. 19

The Biden administration has announced a significant new immigration initiative designed to promote family unity, and starting on Monday, August 19th, USCIS will begin accepting applications for the Family Unity Parole-in-Place Program. This program offers eligible non-citizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens the opportunity to stay together with their families while pursuing lawful permanent residence.

What You Need to Know About the Program

Application Start Date:

• USCIS will start accepting applications on August 19, 2024.
• If you submit your application before this date, USCIS will reject it.

How to Apply:

• Applications must be submitted using the new electronic form, Form I-131F, which will only be available on the USCIS website starting August 19.
• USCIS will not accept any other forms for this process, so be sure to use the correct form.

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for this discretionary parole under the Family Unity Parole-in-Place Program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Presence in the U.S.: You must be in the United States without admission or parole.
• Continuous Residence: You must have been continuously present in the U.S. for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024.
• Marriage: You must have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
• Clean Record: You must have no disqualifying criminal history and not pose a threat to national or public security.
• Positive Discretion: Your case must merit a favorable exercise of discretion.

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Preparing Your Application

Even though USCIS is not yet accepting applications, it’s important to start preparing now. Gathering the necessary documentation will help ensure your application is ready when the filing window opens. Key documents you should prepare include:

• Proof of Continuous Presence: This could include rent receipts, utility bills, school records, hospital or medical records, and affidavits from organizations.
• Marriage Documentation: Ensure you have proof of your marriage to a U.S. citizen before the June 17, 2024, cutoff date.

Examples of acceptable documentation for proving your continuous presence in the U.S. over the past 10 years include:

• Dated bank transactions
• Rent receipts or utility bills
• School or medical records
• Affidavits from religious entities or other organizations
• Insurance policies and tax returns

Our office is closely monitoring this new program and will be ready to assist you as soon as more details are released. We recommend staying informed and being prepared to act as soon as the application process opens.

Important Reminder: Beware of scams! Do not submit your application before August 19, 2024, and do not pay anyone who promises early or guaranteed approval. Only use the official USCIS Form I-131F starting on August 19.

For further guidance and to ensure your application is prepared correctly, please contact the Law Offices of James A. Welcome. We are here to help you navigate this new process and keep your family together.

Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to reach out to us at 203-753-7300 for assistance.