A significant change in the U.S. immigration process in August could prove pivotal in keeping more families together. Under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new process, eligible noncitizen spouses and children can begin applying for permanent residence while staying with their families instead of having to leave the U.S. to be processed in other countries.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin taking applications under the revised policy on Aug. 19. Separated families experiencing hardships and distress under the current policy may soon find relief. The administration expects the change will affect approximately half a million spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 noncitizen children with one parent being a U.S. citizen.
Process to Promote the Unity and Stability of Families
Under the process, noncitizens applying for parole must fit the below criteria as of June 17, 2024:
- Staying in the United States without admission or parole
- Have continuously lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen
- Have no disqualifying criminal history
- Not recognized as a threat to public safety or national security
- Have positive factors warranting favorable administrative judgment
The USCIS considers noncitizen children of requestors for parole if they meet the eligibility criteria published in the Federal Register.
To apply for parole, applicants must:
- File a form with USCIS along with supporting documents
- Pay a fee
The USCIS will reject filings or individual requests before the application period begins.
“USCIS to You”
Working in tandem with the new process are USCIS’ immigration-related assistance initiatives. One of them is “USCIS to You,” a program that hopes to make immigration services more accessible to underserved communities by:
- Facilitating remote access: USCIS will expand routine and on-demand remote services. These will include benefit application interviews, video-facilitated N-400 interviews and outreach in diverse locations.
- Establishing community education and partnerships: USCIS plans to conduct focused engagements throughout the country, offer citizenship classes and assistance with the naturalization process, as well as encourage law schools and nongovernmental organizations to engage in naturalization-focused assistance.
While the administration expands services for potential immigration and naturalization applicants, the government continues to warn against scams.
The USCIS recommends consulting an experienced immigration attorney to ensure you meet all legal requirements and pay fees correctly.
