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Our military members have the nation’s gratitude for their service. President Obama’s administration identified a need and issued a policy memorandum to benefit certain family members of active or veteran U.S. military personnel. The program, known as Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP), helps undocumented individuals stay in the country and assists in other areas.
At New Frontier Immigration Law, we understand the immigration difficulties that can disrupt a military family. We encourage you to speak with a Parole in Place military attorney in Scottsdale, AZ if your family must fight to stay together because of immigration challenges.
Reach out to us today by phone or through our website and schedule your free initial case review with one of our Scottsdale immigration lawyers.
Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP) – What Is It?
Military PIP is a program for noncitizens who enter the country illegally. Eligibility would include some family members of active or veteran (alive or deceased) members of the U.S. Armed Forces or Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve if the military member left the military with an honorable discharge. The family members who might benefit may include certain:
- Spouses
- Widows or widowers
- Young sons and daughters and adult sons and daughters who are single or married
- Parents
Our military PIP attorneys in Scottsdale, AZ, can determine if you are a likely candidate for this program.
Benefits of Military PIP
The military PIP benefits for family members under this policy are:
- A one-year authorization to stay in the U.S. with receipt of an I-94 record showing your status as a legal visitor. This protects recipients from deportation risks during the year.
- Renewable PIP – If you believe you will need more time, you may start the renewal process months before your current PIP expires.
- Freedom to apply for a work permit using Form I-765.
- Potential eligibility to apply for an “adjustment of status,” which could allow you to get a green card and become a permanent resident.
- Staying in the U.S. while applying for a green card rather than returning to your home country and working through the consulate.
- Avoiding the three- and 10-year bars from reentering the U.S. if you initially entered illegally and then voluntarily left.
Eligibility for Military PIP
Several factors are taken into consideration when determining eligibility to apply for PIP. To qualify, you must be the spouse, widow, widower, parent, or unmarried child under the age of 21 of someone:
- Serving on active duty in any branch of the armed forces
- Enrolled in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve
- Who was previously enrolled in Selected Reserve or on active duty and was not dishonorably discharged, whether that person is living or deceased
In addition, you must be able to prove a need related to a humanitarian crisis or significant public benefit under 8 C.F.R. § 212.5. Furthermore, you must be physically present in the United States, lacking lawful admission.
If you have a qualifying military family member who was lawfully admitted to the U.S. and overstayed, PIP is unavailable. In this situation, an experienced immigration attorney in Scottsdale can help you review other options available.
Applying for Military PIP
Immigration law is complicated with its attendant forms and required supporting documents. Working with an immigration attorney from our law firm who is knowledgeable will generally smooth the process while relieving you of a significantly stressful challenge.
Steps to apply for a PIP include:
- Complete U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-131: Application for Travel Document.
- Provide documents proving your relationship with the military member, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
- Provide a copy of your family member’s military ID card to verify they are or were in the military.
- Provide passport photos.
- Provide any other favorable information that may support your application (our attorneys will provide suggestions based on your personal situation).
The processing time changes, but over the past few years, it typically runs between three to six months.
Denial of Military PIP
Screening for PIP is rigorous and performed on a case-by-case basis. Authorities can deny it for various reasons, such as:
- Entering the country legally and then staying past your allowed time
- Having a criminal record
- Having a history of immigration violations
- National security risk
- Public health safety risk
Fighting a Denial of PIP
You can appeal a denial, but you will have few options left if authorities deny your appeal. If your application denial concerns an error you made while filling out the forms or a lack of sufficient supporting evidence or documentation, resubmitting the corrected forms with the appropriate documentation could reverse the denial.
Before you take any steps to fight a denial, we suggest you speak with our immigration attorneys, who understand the complexities of the military PIP program.
For a free legal consultation with a military parole in place lawyer serving Scottsdale, call (623) 742-5400
Applying for Permanent Residency After Approval of Parole in Place
After your Parole in Place application has been processed and approved by USCIS, you will be eligible to file for Adjustment of Status to get a green card and become a lawful permanent resident. For this, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements, file Form I-485: Adjustment of Status, and schedule an interview with USCIS.
Scottsdale Military Parole in Place Lawyer Near Me (623) 742-5400
The Cost of Filing for Parole in Place
When applying for PIP, you will not have to pay any fees along with your application. However, if your application is approved, you will need to pay a filing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when you file Form I-485: Adjustment of Status to obtain your green card and permanent resident status.
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Other Options if Parole in Place Is Not Right for You
If PIP is not a viable option for your situation, a Scottsdale immigration lawyer can help determine what options are available. Our lawyers have handled a wide range of immigration cases and can easily evaluate which options you may be eligible to pursue.
There are many different ways that immigrants and their families can become permanent residents, including through:
The immigration lawyers at our firm will review the details of your case to figure out the best path forward. Once we have determined how to proceed, we will take you through all the steps in the process and do everything in our power to protect the rights of you and your family as you attempt to secure permanent legal residence in the country.
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Working With Our Scottsdale PIP Military Lawyers at New Frontier Immigration Law
Immigration law seems to be in a constant state of flux. Staying current on the changes in a complex system requires knowing the law. Our PIP attorneys are ready to fight for the rights you have and advocate for your Parole in Place benefits. Working for your future, we:
- Detail your history, including your relationships and move to the U.S.
- Determine if you meet the USCIS eligibility requirements for PIP.
- Assist you in identifying and completing all necessary forms and collecting all supporting documents and evidence for a PIP application.
- Offer potential strategies to unite entire families, when practical.
We know that the complexities of changing immigration laws bring chaos to your lives. Like everyone, you want peace and freedom to simply live. Work, children, partners, vacations, extended family – you want to enjoy all the parts of an evolving life without worrying about someone forcing you from your home and family.
Our immigration attorneys bring to your case years of fighting for and successfully helping clients who once shared your uncertainties. While you can pursue PIP without the assistance of an attorney, securing the services of a lawyer from our team will greatly improve your odds of getting your application approved without unnecessary delays.
What Sets Us Apart
Among the team members at our immigration law firm, we have military family members who know firsthand the benefits that the PIP program provides. We also fully understand the complexity of the application process. Because of this, we ensure we devote all the resources necessary to help you through the application process.
Our attorneys will take the time to listen to your story so they can get a full understanding of the situation you face. If PIP is the right option for your situation, we will review your eligibility and complete and submit all of the required documents necessary for your application.
If PIP doesn’t apply, we can help you find another option that can help improve your current immigration situation. No matter the path we help you pursue, we will work with your best interests at heart and guide you through every step of the process.
What Our Clients Have to Say
Founded over a decade ago by Hillary Walsh, an attorney of boundless energy and optimism, New Frontier has represented folks in need in the local immigration courts around Scottsdale, Arizona, and all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Maya B.’s words about Ms. Walsh and our firm echo the sentiments of many of our clients:
- “I am very grateful for Miss Hillary. She helped me win my immigration appeal and she even found people to help pay my bond so I could be released from the detention center in Eloy. Miss Hillary cared as much about winning my case as she did about taking care of me as a person. I am grateful to God that she was my attorney. (Maya’s country of origin is Ethiopia.)
Call Us Today for Help from a Parole in Place Military Lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ
Having an experienced immigration lawyer by your side can greatly simplify the process of applying for PIP, while also significantly improving your chances of approval.
Fill out our online contact form or call our office for an initial strategic session with one of our PIP attorneys. We believe in your right to a future with your family and will fight for it. We offer our initial consultations for free, so don’t hesitate to reach out and get started today.
Call or text (623) 742-5400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form