Military Parole in Place

Following Michael’s four-year military service in the U.S. Army, he met and married his wife, Sara. Sara was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when she was a little girl and has remained in the U.S. ever since.

Sara and Michael had been married for several years when they heard about the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids under the Trump administration. They contacted our immigration law firm to find out if they could receive help regarding Sara’s immigration status.

They made the right choice. Hillary Walsh is the lead attorney and founder of our immigration law firm and is intimately familiar with the MIL-PIP application process. That’s because she’s been a military spouse for over 15 years.

PIP Preserves Military Family Unity

Hillary and her legal team were able to help Michael and Sara navigate the military PIP process. Within a few months, Sara obtained her I-94 (which proves she entered the country lawfully). Shortly after that, the firm helped get Sara’s green card.

One of PIP’s primary immigration benefits was that Sara didn’t have to leave the country and return to Mexico. Instead of going through the scary process of waiting in Juarez alone to apply for her green card, Sara was able to stay in the U.S. while maintaining her family relationships.

For military families, especially those with small children, leaving the country for an indefinite amount of time is not an option. However, neither is living in fear. This is why we love the military PIP process!

So, if you’re one of the following, we can help:

• An active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
• A current member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve
• An individual who honorably served this country in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or the United States Armed Forces
• You or a family member are unlawfully in the United States

If you qualify for any of these, please contact us today. We’ll be happy to discuss your options and provide information on how to start the application process.

With PIP, your family member’s unlawful entry doesn’t have to bar them from applying for adjustment of status.

To apply for PIP, your loved one must submit an application to a local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Another option is for your loved one to hire experienced PIP legal counsel from our firm to help submit their application.

In the application, we can ensure your family member includes:

• A cover letter addressed to the local USCIS field office’s director: This letter should explain why they want to file for parole in place.
• Proof of your family relationship: This can include a marriage certificate, family member birth certificates, and a birth certificate of a current or former service member that contains the names of both parents.
• Evidence of your military status: This may include proof of honorable discharge, DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, or other documents that prove your military service.
• Passport-style photos: These should show your loved one looking straight into the camera with no facial hair, sunglasses, hats, or anything else obscuring their face.
• Evidence of any additional favorable discretionary factors: This could include awards, letters of support from friends and family members, certificates, employment history, education, or community service.

Once the application is submitted, it will take up to six months before the USCIS field office reviews the application and makes a decision. However, that time will vary depending on your field office’s caseload and other factors.

The USCIS’s website has further details about applying for PIP. This can help you understand the information required to secure an application approval.

The PIP program benefits many military families with undocumented family members. As mentioned above, the primary advantage is that your undocumented family member can remain in the U.S. while applying for their green card.

Then, if approved, your family member can change their status immediately.

Additional benefits include:

Protection from Removal Proceedings

Immediately after qualifying for Parole in Place, your family member is protected from deportation proceedings. Your family member will be permitted to stay in the U.S. while being protected from deportation for a one-year period. They can qualify for an extension if they submit another PIP application.

Authorization for Employment

Also, after qualifying for PIP, your family member will receive an I-94 record, which lets them apply for a work permit. With a work permit, your family member can legally hold a job in the U.S. to help support your family.

Our immigration law team knows how confusing and upsetting residency status and related issues can be to you and your loved ones. That’s because many of our team members have experienced similar challenges.

Our knowledge and experiences help us empathize with our clients, while our immigration law expertise lets us address your specific situation.

Your first meeting with our team is free. We want to listen to your story and assist you in improving your situation.

If your PIP is denied, hope is not lost. Our firm covers other practice areas, including immigration decision appeals, and has vast experience filing successful appeals. So you have nothing to lose by speaking with us.

Our New Frontier Immigration Law loves this country, and we know you do as well. We’re glad you and your family are here and want to help you stay together.

If you want to know if you’re eligible for Parole in Place, download our free checklist on our home page and find a fantastic gift. Contact us to consult with one of our team members today. During your session, we can help you determine your loved one’s eligibility for PIP, provide legal advice, and discuss your options.