Eligibility
DHS is establishing a process to consider requests for parole in place from certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens who have been in the U.S. for at least a decade. If parole is granted, noncitizens who are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen will be able to do so without having to leave the United States. They will also qualify for a work permit while waiting for their green card.
To be considered for a discretionary grant of parole you must:
- Be present in the United States after having entered illegally.
- Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years.
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen before June 17, 2024.
- Not have any disqualifying criminal history and
- Otherwise merit a favorable exercise of discretion.
What You Can Do Now
Although USCIS is not currently accepting applications, you can begin to prepare to file a parole application by gathering evidence of your eligibility
- MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
- PROOF OF IDENTITY, such as:
- Valid passport
- Valid state or country driver’s license or identification; or
- Any government issued document bearing your name, date of birth, and photo such as a matricula or National ID;
- PROOF YOUR SPOUSE IS A U.S. CITIZEN, such as;
- Passport, birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization;
- PROOF OF PRESENCE: We need to provide documentation to establish your continued presence in the United States for at least 10 years. You will need to provide something for EVERY single year.
Examples of documentation could include copies of:
- Rent receipts
- Utility bills;
- Bank Statements
- School records (letters, report cards, etc.);
- Hospital or medical records;
- Attestations to your residence by religious entities, unions, or other organizations, identifying you by name;
- Official records from a religious entity confirming participation in a religious ceremony;
- Money order receipts for money sent into or out of the United States;
- Birth certificates of children born in the United States;
- Dated bank transactions;
- Automobile license receipts, title, or registration;
- Deeds, mortgages, or rental agreement contracts;
- Insurance policies; or
- Tax returns or tax receipts.