On Wednesday, the United States government announced the date on which it will begin implementing a program that will grant nearly half a million immigrants who do not have legal immigration status in the United States the opportunity to change that reality.
The program in question, called Parole in Place, already existed, but now, under the new regulations, it will primarily benefit those who have married U.S. citizens and are undocumented, an initiative that emerges in the midst of a complex immigration scenario that is emerging as a key factor in the face of the upcoming presidential elections.
The immigration policy will allow spouses of U.S. citizens and their non-citizen children to apply for permanent residency without having to leave the United States, according to information contained in a White House statement. In addition, beneficiaries would be protected from deportation and could obtain work permits.
Starting on August 19, the process of receiving applications from people who meet the eligibility criteria will begin in order to adjust their status while maintaining family unity.
To be eligible, immigrants must have resided continuously in the United States for at least 10 years through June 17, 2024, without admission or parole, be legally married to a U.S. citizen before that date, and not have a criminal record or pose a risk to national security or public safety. According to the government, the average for those eligible is to have resided in the United States for 23 years.
The immigration measure is expected to cover around 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 non-citizen children under the age of 21 whose parents have married a U.S. citizen.
Approved applicants will have a three-year period to complete the application for permanent residency. The biggest advantage of this policy is that applicants will not have to separate from their family members in the United States and will be able to receive a work permit valid for three years.
