Undocumented spouses, parents and unmarried children of U.S. citizens, who are members of the U.S. military, can now apply for legal status in the United States. This path to legal status will only be made available to the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
This policy that permits the immediate relatives of the U.S. citizens who are members of the U.S. military to apply for permanent resident status, is known as “Parole in Place”. It allows the spouses, parents and minor children of U.S. citizens to apply for adjustment of status and remain in the United States. Relatives who are now undocumented will be permitted to apply for green cards in the United States.
Parole in Place is only available to the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are service members or veterans. This program does not grant amnesty to the undocumented relatives of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This is not a new policy; this policy has existed for several years. The Obama Administration has only extended an existing policy that was started under the Bush Administration that allows the eligible undocumented relatives of US military members and veterans to remain in the country, while waiting for their green cards.
This extended policy will now permit the undocumented relatives of US citizens who are serving in the US military, to apply for adjustment of status. They can apply for lawful status while in the country and they need now return to their home countries.
Parole in Place does not change the law and the eligible family members need to meet all the requirements to apply for legal status. They need to have a clean criminal history and must be admissible into America. This policy will reduce the stress on military members who suffer emotional distress just because they are terrified that their family members would be deported.
