Military Parole In Place

The Military Parole in Place policy allows certain undocumented U.S. military personnel and their qualifying family members to apply for parole in the U.S. This will relieve the applicant from accruing unlawful presence while in the U.S., and from having to leave the U.S. for an immigrant visa interview. This policy applies to military personnel, and spouses, widows/ widowers, or children of military personnel, or of veterans who were honorably discharged.

Parole in place will be granted by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services on a case-by-case basis for “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit”. Approvals are given in one-year increments. If granted parole in place, an applicant will be able to gain employment authorization. They may also be eligible to apply for permanent resident status or other immigration benefits. An applicant will also be prevented from being deported for a certain period if they have a deportation order against them.

The policy aims to prevent the separation of military families by allowing certain family members to remain in the U.S. This is an important benefit as it maintains family unity for those who have served the country. U.S. armed forces personnel whose families are forced to separate due to a family member’s unlawful presence, generally experience stress and anxiety that could adversely affect their military preparedness. The parole in place option will help to alleviate what would otherwise be an extremely difficult immigration scenario.

To apply for Military Parole in Place, the undocumented family member(s) must submit the following documents to one of the USCIS offices:

• Completed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (filing fee not required); also, “Military PIP” should be written in part 2, instead of checking a box.
• Evidence of the family relationship, such as birth certificates, marriage certificate, proof of termination of any prior marriage(s), and a copy of the military member’s identification card, etc.
• Proof of the enrollment in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System

To be eligible for Military Parole in Place, an individual must not have any criminal history, or extensive immigration violations. They must also be generally of good moral character. Parents of military personnel or veterans can also apply through providing evidence that their son/daughter supports the application for parole in place.

If you believe you may qualify for Military Parole in Place, you should consult with experienced immigration counsel to discuss your eligibility. The process may be challenging to navigate. At U.S. Immigration Law Counsel®, we can help to make the process as straightforward as possible for you.