We at Gardner & Mendoza, PC are delighted by the government’s recent announcement regarding Parole in Place (PIP) for the immediate relatives of our brave service members. We have already begun filing PIP applications for clients, some of whom had been involved in the arduous process of applying for an unlawful presence waiver. By switching gears and channeling their applications through PIP, we have been able to save them considerable time, anxiety, uncertainty, frustration, and fees!
WHAT IS PAROLE IN PLACE
PIP is a new immigration procedure designed to help certain family members of those who serve and have served our country. The procedure will assist the spouses, children, and parents of military members and veterans who are trying to attain Lawful Permanent Resident Status. It is intended to alleviate the stress and anxiety many men and women serving in our military undergo because of the immigration problems of their family members in the United States.
In a recent memo announcing procedures for PIP, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service stated: “Military preparedness can potentially be adversely affected if active members of the U.S. Armed Forces and individuals serving in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, who can be quickly called into active duty, worry about the immigration status of their spouses, parents, and children.” The procedure is also available to family members of our nation’s veterans. The USCIS memo elaborates; “We as a nation have made a commitment to our veterans, to support and care for them. It is a commitment that begins at enlistment, and continues as they become veterans.”
Under PIP, the spouses, children, and parents of service members and veterans who came into the United States illegally, may now apply for a green card (Lawful Permanent Residence) without leaving the United States. Prior to this announcement, these family members would have had to go back to their home country to complete their green card applications. Once out of the United States, they would be barred from returning for up to ten years, as punishment for their unlawful presence. While waivers for unlawful presence are available, the application process is difficult and expensive. Even worse, the applicant may be separated from family for more than a year while the waiver is pending. At the end of all that waiting, there is no guarantee the waiver will be granted!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN PLACE?
If you are in the United States and you are:
- The Spouse of a United States Service Member or Veteran;
- The Parent of a United States Service Member or Veteran;
- The Unmarried Child (under age 21) of a United States Service Member or Veteran; and
- Otherwise admissible to the United States (meaning unlawful entry/presence are the only reasons that you are inadmissible. This program does not cure inadmissibility based on criminal history, diseases, other immigration violations, etc.)
Gardner & Mendoza P.C. salutes you for your service. We would be honored to file a Parole in Place for you and your family.
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