Featured Issues

Featured Issue: Executive Actions to Promote Family Unity

11/13/24 AILA Doc. No. 24071203. Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants, Waivers

On November 13, 2024, USCIS posted the following alert:

ALERT: On November 7, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in State of Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, Case Number 24-cv-306 (E.D.T.X. Nov. 7, 2024) issued a final judgment vacating the Keeping Families Together (KFT) parole process, published at 89 Fed. Reg. 67,459 (Aug. 20, 2024).

Effective immediately, USCIS is taking the following steps to comply with the Court’s Order:

  • Pending Form I-131F applications will not be adjudicated and intake of new Form I-131F applications will cease.
  • Anyone with a future Application Support Center appointment in support of a filed Form I-131F should consider that appointment cancelled immediately. Anyone who appears for such an appointment will be turned away.
  • External engagements on the KFT parole process are cancelled.

In the coming days, USCIS will publish additional information on how it will handle pending cases and paid application fees.

 

Use this page to find information on the June 18, 2024, announcements regarding a new process for certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residence without having to leave the United States.

As of August 21, 2024, reports of approvals of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens have started to appear. At this time, it appears that these approvals are for applicants who already had reusable biometrics on file. For information on the next steps after receiving approval, please see this AILA practice pointer: Practice Pointer: Applying for the Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Program.

At the bottom of this page, you can browse AILA’s complete collection of documents and resources related to this program.

Visit our other featured issue page on affirmative relief changes for DACA recipients and other Dreamers for information and resources on those changes.

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ALERT
Keeping Families Together Process
Starting August 19, to request parole in place under Keeping Families Together, you must submit Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens, online with the applicable filing fee. There is no fee waiver available for Form I-131F.
Form I-131F Learn More

Join the conversation.

AILA members are invited to join our listserv for those interested in this program as well as other executive actions to help Dreamers.
LEARN MORE
Training
OnDemand Roundtable Recording
Get the recording of our August 16 roundtable about the implementation of this program.
Resources
Attorney Resources
View the resources AILA has prepared for attorneys who are assisting clients with this program.
Flyers
Beware the Promises of Notarios
Share these flyers about the importance of seeking advice from a qualified immigration attorney.
Videos
Brief Explanation of New Programs (English)
Share AILA’s English-language video that provides a brief explanation of the new programs for mixed-status families and Dreamers.
Videos
Brief Explanation of New Programs (Spanish)
Share AILA’s Spanish-language video that provides a brief explanation of the new programs for mixed-status families and Dreamers.
Videos
The Council’s Webinar about New Program
Watch the webinar hosted by the American Immigration Council following President Biden’s announcement of new protections.
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Practice Resources

Practice Alert: USCIS Issuing Refunds for the KFT Parole Program

AILA is issuing this practice alert to provide details about refunds being issued by USCIS for the Keeping Families Together Parole Program.

1/8/25 AILA Doc. No. 25010807. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Sample Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Screening Tool for Attorneys

AILA provides a sample Keeping Families Together parole-in-place screening tool for attorneys to use in their practice. This sample screening tool is for informational purposes only and is not definitive legal advice.

8/26/24 AILA Doc. No. 24081232. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: Keeping Families Together Program Approvals

Some AILA members are reporting that they have already received approvals of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.

8/21/24 AILA Doc. No. 24082103. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: USCIS Resolves Payment Submission Issue for Form I-131F

Members reported issues submitting payment on Form I-131F. USCIS confirmed that the issue has been resolved. If you experience this or any other technical issue with filing Form I-131F online, please use the USCIS live chat and report any issues or trends to AILA.

8/21/24 AILA Doc. No. 24082100. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Pointer: Applying for the Keeping Families Together Parole-in-Place Program

AILA has provided a practice pointer as a resource to use when prepping Form I-131F applications for the Keeping Families Together program.

8/21/24 AILA Doc. No. 24082004. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: myUSCIS Offering Live Chat Help for Users Experiencing I-131F Technical Issues

USCIS issued an alert that its live chat is now working. Users are instructed to connect via live chat if they are experiencing I-131F technical issues. This can be done by clicking on “Need help? Chat with Emma” and selecting “Connect to Live Chat.”

8/19/24 AILA Doc. No. 24081936. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: DHS Reaching Out to Individuals with Pending I-601As

On August 15, 2024, DHS sent text and email alerts to some individuals who may be eligible to apply for the new family unity parole program which opens for applications on Monday, August 19.

8/15/24 AILA Doc. No. 24081500. Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: Parole-in-Place Federal Register Notice Not Expected Until Closer to August 19

AILA provides this practice alert regarding the expected timeline for publication of the Family Unity Parole-in-Place Federal Register notice and shares available resources on the new program.

8/12/24 AILA Doc. No. 24080165. Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants
Practice Resources

Practice Pointer: The Biden Administration’s Parole-in-Place Program for Certain Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens

The Biden Administration recently announced an expansion of the existing parole-in-place program. AILA’s Military Committee provides a resource to assist members in understanding key differences between the program and what we know thus far about the new process.

6/25/24 AILA Doc. No. 24062502. Adjustment of Status, Family Immigration, Family-Based Immigrants, Waivers
Professional Resources

Parole in Place Local Best Practices

The implementation of Parole in Place (PIP) at the local level has led to different local practices related to the filing and adjudication of parole requests. This advisory from AILA’s PPC provides key practices at USCIS field offices and connects attorneys with AILA PIP advisors for these offices.

5/25/23 AILA Doc. No. 19022544.