SAN DIEGO — Applications are now open for Parole in Place. It’s a program offering undocumented spouses married to United States citizens an opportunity to apply for permanent resident status without having to leave the country.
“The traditional way is that they file the paperwork, they have to get what is called a pardon, a waiver, and then they have to go to the U.S. embassy and get their green card but that means they have to leave the country and there's a lot of anxiety … we don't know if they are going to come back,” Sapochnick Law Firm Immigration Attorney Jacob Sapochnick said.
Parole in Place will provide eligible candidates with work permits as part of the program. To qualify, one must have lived in the country for at least a decade and have married a U.S. citizen before June 17, 2024.
“You also have to be a person of good moral character, you cannot have certain crimes, you cannot have a deportation or voluntary departure that you didn't fulfill,” Sapochnick said.
The filing guide form for I-131F mentions applicants must provide a photo Identity document with the individual's name, date of birth and photo. Applicants must also provide evidence of the relationship, spouses citizenship and continual presence living in the U.S.
The form I-131F form can only be filed online and will be available on the USCIS website.
“Try to do your best as you can. If you can't, hire an attorney because the attorneys can do it from their online accounts which will make the process much faster,” Sapochnick said.
The fee will be calculated before the application is submitted. For more information visit the filing guide uscis.gov.
WATCH RELATED: New immigration relief protections could aid thousands of undocumented San Diegans