Citizenship Pathway for Spouses and Children of US Citizens
“Parole in Place” protects undocumented spouses of US Citizens
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, President Joe Biden announced a new program that will allow certain spouses of United States citizens to apply for “parole-in-place" from the Department of Homeland Security. This would provide relief to more than half a million “mixed-status” families in the country. Children of undocumented immigrants married to US citizens could also qualify under the new process.
Obtaining legal status after marrying a US citizen is a long and involved process that requires people who entered the country without authorization to move to their home country for at least 10 years before they can legally reside in the US. This causes many immigrants to not apply for legal permanent residence and stay and risk deportation rather than leave their families. Those eligible for this process have resided in the US for an average of 23 years.
They'll also be eligible for a 3 year work permit.
Eligibility is strict. Applicants will have to prove they have been in the US for at least 10 years before June 17, 2024 and have to be legally wed.
They can't be a threat to national security or have prior deportations.
The Biden administration expects applications to open up by the end of summer. Fees have yet to be announced.