BIDEN'S NEW PROGRAM TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER LAUNCHED, PAROLE FOR SPOUSES AND STEP-CHILDREN OF U.S. CITIZENS

There is an ongoing lawsuit affecting this program. You can read the August 30 article for more information and you can visit the USCIS website for the most up-to-date information.

Finally on Monday, August 19, you can start  applying to President Biden's new program through which spouses who have been in the United States for at least 10 years since June 17, 2014 and stepchildren who have been in the United States since June 17, 2024, of U.S. citizens, may obtain a parole (special permit) and then be able to apply for permanent residence (green card).

Last August 20, the government announced and published in the National Federal Register the requirements of the program, here are some of them:

First you can only apply online, you cannot send physical applications by regular mail.

The application fee, the government fee is $580.00 and these are individual applications, meaning that the spouse and stepchild of a U.S. citizen must submit separate applications. In this process there is no fee waiver for low income persons as in other applications.

The form to be submitted for this program is the I-131F which must be completed and submitted along with documents proving eligibility (spouse or stepchild of a U.S. citizen) and in the case of spouses documents proving presence for at least 10 years in the U.S. before June 17, 2024 and in the case of stepchildren they must have been under 18 years of age at the time of marriage of their parent to the U.S. citizen and be under 21 years of age as of June 17, 2024.

It is only for people who entered without a permit or parole, people who entered with some type of parole or permit such as a local card do not qualify, but if they are married to a U.S. citizen they can also adjust their status and do not need this program.

BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE HAD CRIMINAL CASES 

There is a list of criminal cases that may affect your eligibility for the program: People who have been convicted of any kind of felony, or criminal charge with the possibility of an incarceration sentence of one year or more, even if they have not received that sentence. 

Also people who have been punished or convicted of crimes involving possession of firearms or controlled substances are not eligible, with the exception of marijuana possession of less than 30 grams.

Those convicted of domestic violence cases are also ineligible for the program.

Applicants who have been convicted of other types of crimes such as driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol may have problems but may be able to submit specific documents to demonstrate that they are eligible for the program.

It may also include cases of theft or fights that are not felonies or domestic violence.

All applicants  must also give an explanation as to why they deserve the parole, although they do not need to send proof with that.

It appears that people who apply for this program will not have to attend an interview so it is important that they send all documents, evidence covering the last 10 years, at one time. 

Some of the documents they can send as evidence are the following: 

1040 or W-2 taxes, proof of work and income, from banks or financial institutions, insurance companies, money transfer receipts, medical or school records, utility bills, credit cards, cell phone, rentals or real estate, car among others. The documents must have the person's full name, a date and be from the United States, try to get documents that cover all years from June 2014 to the present.

After receiving parole approval, they will be able to apply for legal permanent residency (green card). Also people who are in the I-601A waiver program should apply because through this new program they will not have to leave the U.S. and will not be affected. 

Also they should be very careful, it is better to go with immigration lawyers or if they go to an agency that is approved by  Immigration. we know that there are many people like notary publics, who are not lawyers and are not approved to charge for immigration services, who are offering their services.

If you have any questions or believe you qualify for the program you can call my office to make an appointment as soon as possible. For more information you can call our office at 616-235-4577. 

Yes, we can!