Featured Issue: Executive Actions to Promote Family Unity
As of August 26, 2024, at 8:00 pm (ET), due to a court order currently in effect, USCIS may accept Keeping Families Together parole applications but may not approve them. AILA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates regarding the program's status. Members should look for updates on our Featured Issues page and the USCIS website:
https://www.uscis.gov/keepingfamiliestogether
As of August 21, 2024, reports of approvals of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens have started to appear. At this time, it appears that these approvals are for applicants who already had reusable biometrics on file. For information on the next steps after receiving approval, please see this AILA practice pointer: Practice Pointer: Applying for the Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Program.
At the bottom of this page, you can browse AILA’s complete collection of documents and resources related to this program.
Visit our other featured issue page on affirmative relief changes for DACA recipients and other Dreamers for information and resources on those changes.
Keeping Families Together – Information from USCIS
What You Need to Know
Forms and Fees
- Request for Parole in Place. You must file Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens, online through your myUSCIS account and pay a $580 filing fee. There is no paper form for this process. If you submit a request by mail using a paper application, your request will be rejected (not approved or receipted). A fee waiver is not available for Form I-131F under this process at this time.
- Employment Authorization. If you are granted parole under this process, and after your approval is issued by USCIS, you may then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You cannot file Form I-765 and Form I-131F at the same time. If you file Form I-765 on paper, the filing fee is $520. If you file Form I-765 online, the filing fee is $470. A fee waiver is available for Form I-765.
Eligibility Criteria under Keeping Families Together
Noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens must:
- Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2014, through the date of filing your request;
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024;
- Have no disqualifying criminal history and otherwise not be deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security; and
- Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting.
Noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens must:
- Have been under the age of 21 and unmarried on June 17, 2024;
- Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2024, through the date of filing your request;
- Have a noncitizen parent who entered into a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024, and before their 18th birthday;
- Have no disqualifying criminal history and otherwise not deemed to be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security; and
- Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting. *
*Consistent with the Sept. 30, 2021, Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law, a noncitizen who poses a threat to border security will be generally disqualified from receiving parole in place pursuant to this process. However, there is an exception for stepchildren who entered the United States unlawfully after Nov. 1, 2020, and who otherwise meet the criteria for parole in place under this process.
All such requests for parole in place are considered on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit, in the exercise of discretion, taking into account the totality of the circumstances of each individual request.
USCIS is committed to program integrity and protection against fraud. Using existing training and practices to identify fraudulent evidence, USCIS will be reviewing submitted evidence supporting the existence of a legally valid marriage. In its consideration of the Form I-131F, USCIS will employ rigorous procedures to detect potential fraud concerns, ensuring that potentially fraudulent marriages will not serve as the basis for a grant of adjustment of status following access to this process.
Visit our Keeping Families Together page and our frequently asked questions page for more information about the process and eligibility requirements.
Request Process
Step 1: Create a free USCIS online account today.
Learn How to Create a USCIS Online Account. If you already have a USCIS online account, you will need to know the email address and password you used to set up your account. If you need to change your email address associated with an existing account, watch our video tutorial.
If you move, you can easily update your address in your USCIS online account. Reporting your new address within 10 days of moving is required by law and helps ensure that you receive timely communications about your case.
Step 2:
Before you start your request online, gather the evidence you will need to submit with your Form I-131F to show you meet the eligibility criteria for this process. For noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens, evidence of eligibility could include:
- Evidence of a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen that took place on or before June 17, 2024, such as a marriage certificate;
- Proof of your identity, which may include:
- Valid state or country driver’s license or identification;
- Birth certificate with photo identification;
- Valid passport; or
- Any government-issued document bearing your name, date of birth, and photo;
- Evidence of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization;
- Arrest records and court dispositions of any arrests, charges, and convictions (if applicable);
- Documentation to establish your continuous physical presence in the United States since at least June 17, 2014, through the date of filing the application for parole, which may include, but is not limited to:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax transcripts listing tax information;
- Rent receipts or utility bills;
- Deeds, mortgage statements, or rental agreement contracts;
- Bank, credit card, or loan statements showing regular transactions;
- Insurance policies;
- Automobile license receipts, title, or registration;
- Hospital or medical records;
- School records (letters, report cards, etc.);
- Attestations to your physical presence by religious entities, unions, or other civic or community organizations;
- Official records from a religious entity confirming your participation in a religious ceremony;
- Birth certificates of children born in the United States;
- Money order receipts for money sent in or out of the United States;or
- Any other document that shows that you maintained continuous physical presence in the United States for the requisite time period.
For noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens, evidence of eligibility could include:
- Birth certificate of the stepchild listing the name of their noncitizen natural parent;
- Proof of the child’s identity (as listed above);
- Proof of the U.S. citizenship status of the stepparent (as listed above);
- Evidence establishing a legally valid marriage between the noncitizen stepchild’s noncitizen parent and the noncitizen stepchild’s U.S. citizen stepparent took place on or before June 17, 2024, such as a marriage certificate;
- Evidence establishing the child’s continuous physical presence in the United States since at least June 17, 2024, through the date of filing the application for parole, such as school records (letters, report cards, etc.) and hospital or medical records (see list above); and
- Arrest records and court dispositions of any arrests, charges, and convictions (if applicable).
Step 3: Beware of Scams
- Please be cautious and know how to Report Immigration Scams on our webpage.
- Be aware that in the United States, a notario público is not authorized to provide you with any legal services related to immigration. Only an attorney licensed to practice law in the United States or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice-recognized organization can give you immigration-related legal advice.
- Do not pay to obtain government application forms – all forms are free, and you can access them at gov/forms. This includes Form I-131F, which can only be filed online through the USCIS online account for this process and not by paper form.
- Visit our Avoid Scams page for more information on how to help safeguard your information and avoid becoming a victim.
Step 4: Don’t miss updates. We will periodically update the frequently asked questions about this process on our website.
- Stay informed by signing up for email updates. You can subscribe to various topics including this process.
- Visit our Outreach page for any national and local engagements related to this and other topics.
Browse the Featured Issue: Executive Actions to Promote Family Unity collection
Texas and Other States File Lawsuit Challenging Keeping Families Together Program
On August 23, 2024, Texas and 15 other states filed a lawsuit challenging the Keeping Families Together program, claiming that it is an unlawful action taken by DHS. Due to a court order that is currently in effect, USCIS may accept parole applications, but may not approve applications.
Client Flyer: What Is the Keeping Families Together Program?
AILA provides a client flyer on a new program to help certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the United States. There is a generic PDF and a customizable Word version. Please share widely with your networks.
ABA Family Unity Parole in Place Legal Clinic Toolkit And Video
The ABA provides a toolkit to help legal service providers design and implement pro se legal clinics where volunteers can help eligible individuals complete and submit applications for the Family Unity Parole in Place program.
Sample Informed Consent Text for PIP Program Client Representation
AILA provides an updated sample informed consent form now that the Keeping Families Together program is accepting applications. Given program uncertainties, members will want to obtain informed consent from clients.
USCIS Tech Talks: Keeping Families Together Engagement
USCIS invitation to a Tech Talk on 9/10/24 to discuss the Keeping Families Together process. During this Tech Talk, USCIS will cover online filing and answer FAQs on Form I-131F. No registration required; submit questions ahead of time.
USCIS Update After Administrative Stay Issued in Keeping Families Together Case
USCIS provides an update after a district court issued an administrative stay preventing it from granting parole in place under Keeping Families Together, including updates on biometrics, EADs, and approvals issued prior to the stay.
Sample Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Screening Tool for Attorneys
AILA provides a sample Keeping Families Together parole-in-place screening tool for attorneys to use in their practice. This sample screening tool is for informational purposes only and is not definitive legal advice.
Call for Examples: Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Adjudications
AILA provides this member survey to gather information regarding Keeping Families Together PIP adjudications. The information provided by each survey submission will appear on a spreadsheet that is updated in real-time.
Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Adjudications Tracker
AILA provides this collaborative sheet to track PIP adjudications. Members can input their own information by submitting the PIP adjudications survey.
PIP Implementation Overview and Q&A Webinar
The Southern California Chapter and AILA provide a recording from its webinar on the Keeping Families Together parole-in-place (PIP) program. Note that this webinar was recorded on August 26, 2024, prior to the administrative stay that halted approvals under this program.
AILA President Responds to Litigation Attempting to Halt Keeping Families Together Program
AILA President Kelli Stump reacted to the news that Texas, joined by 15 other states and Stephen Miller of America First Legal, filed litigation in an attempt to halt the newly implemented “Keeping Families Together” program, calling the states’ standing arguments “weak” and “baseless.”
Practice Pointer: Applying for the Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Program
AILA has provided a practice pointer as a resource to use when prepping Form I-131F applications for the Keeping Families Together program.
Practice Alert: USCIS Resolves Payment Submission Issue for Form I-131F
Members reported issues submitting payment on Form I-131F. USCIS confirmed that the issue has been resolved. If you experience this or any other technical issue with filing Form I-131F online, please use the USCIS live chat and report any issues or trends to AILA.
Practice Alert: Keeping Families Together Program Approvals
Some AILA members are reporting that they have already received approvals of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.
Navigating the Surge in Client Calls on New Parole-in-Place Rules
The recent announcement of new Parole-in-Place rules may lead to a significant increase in client inquiries and potential new client calls, leaving many legal professionals feeling overwhelmed. It's crucial to manage this surge effectively. Learn more with this quick Practice Success Tip.
DHS Notice of Implementation of the Keeping Families Together Process
DHS notice announcing the implementation of the Keeping Families Together process. DHS will begin using Form I-131F, Application for Parole I Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens for this process on August 19, 2024. (89 FR 67459, 8/20/24)
USCIS Tech Talks: Keeping Families Together Engagement Series Learn How to File A Request
USCIS will hold a series of engagements in English and Spanish to review the Keeping Families Together process and how to complete Form I-131F. No registration is required for these engagements on 8/22/24 (English) and 8/29/24 (Spanish).
AILA Welcomes Launch of “Keeping Families Together” Program – Lives Will Be Changed
AILA President Kelli Stump and Executive Director Ben Johnson welcome the implementation of the Keeping Families Together program which is an example of the Biden Administration putting families first and implementing sensible solutions to problems created by our outdated immigration laws.
USCIS Stakeholder Engagements on “Keeping Families Together” Parole-in-Place Process
USCIS is hosting two stakeholder engagements – one in English and one in Spanish – on “Keeping Families Together,” a process allowing certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for parole in place, covering eligibility, application procedures, and form requirements.
USCIS FAQs on Keeping Families Together Process
USCIS provides frequently asked questions on the Keeping Families Together process.
Practice Alert: myUSCIS Offering Live Chat Help for Users Experiencing I-131F Technical Issues
USCIS issued an alert that its live chat is now working. Users are instructed to connect via live chat if they are experiencing I-131F technical issues. This can be done by clicking on “Need help? Chat with Emma” and selecting “Connect to Live Chat.”
Interested in Taking on PIP Cases?
In response to the upcoming launch of the family unity parole-in-place program, AILA has added a new category of Parole in Place, so potential clients looking for assistance with this new program can find you.
Filing Guide for Keeping Families Together PIP Process
USCIS provided a Filing Guide for Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. citizens. Form I-131F can only be filed online and a separate form must be filed for each person seeking parole in place (PIP).
Practice Alert: DHS Reaching Out to Individuals with Pending I-601As
On August 15, 2024, DHS sent text and email alerts to some individuals who may be eligible to apply for the new family unity parole program which opens for applications on Monday, August 19.
Practice Alert: Parole-in-Place Federal Register Notice Not Expected Until Closer to August 19
AILA provides this practice alert regarding the expected timeline for publication of the Family Unity Parole-in-Place Federal Register notice and shares available resources on the new program.