If you or a loved one is serving in the United States military and facing immigration challenges, you may have heard of a special benefit called military parole in place. This program was created to support military families by helping eligible undocumented family members stay in the U.S. legally and possibly apply for permanent residence down the line.
Our team works with military families to ensure they understand and make the most of their immigration options. We regularly help clients prepare strong military parole in place applications and coordinate the next steps, including work permits and green card filings. Here’s what you need to know.
Military parole in place is a discretionary immigration benefit offered by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). By granting temporary legal status, it allows certain non-citizen family members of active-duty service members, veterans, or members of the Selected Reserve to remain in the United States lawfully.
More importantly, military parole in place can provide protection from deportation. Depending on your situation, military parole in place may even allow you to adjust your status without leaving the country.
For military families, this benefit helps maintain family unity and relieves stress for service members on active duty. Military parole in place also prevents the service member’s eligible family members from being deported while they pursue permanent residency.
To qualify, you must be the immediate family member of:
Eligible relatives include:
Keep in mind, USCIS evaluates these requests on a case-by-case basis, and approval is not guaranteed.
Military parole in place offers several meaningful benefits:
This program can be a vital lifeline for families who might otherwise face separation or serious legal consequences.
To request military parole in place, you’ll need to submit Form I-131 to your local USCIS field office, along with supporting documents. Though Form I-131 is typically used for travel requests, in this case, it’s submitted to request parole in place, so you don’t need to leave the country.
Typical supporting documents include:
There is no government filing fee for this application.
Processing times for military parole in place vary by USCIS field office, but it may take a few months. During this time, you should not leave the country. If approved, you can then apply for work authorization and, in some cases, begin the green card process.
If you’re married to a U.S. citizen, for example, this could be an important first step in adjusting your status without leaving the U.S., which is not usually possible for individuals who entered the country without inspection.
Military parole in place doesn’t fix everything. It does not automatically grant permanent residency or citizenship, erase past immigration violations, or apply to all extended family members.
It is a temporary protection and a stepping stone to more permanent solutions, depending on your situation. Every case is unique, so speaking with an immigration attorney can help you understand the full picture.
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While the USCIS instructions may seem simple, immigration law is full of technical details that can lead to mistakes if you’re not careful.
That’s why working with a knowledgeable legal team is important. We’ll help ensure your application is as strong as possible and filed correctly, giving you peace of mind and helping avoid delays.
Military parole in place is one of the most compassionate tools available in immigration law. If you or a loved one is interested in applying for military parole in place, or if you have questions about your immigration options, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let’s work together to protect your family’s future.
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