By Darius Amiri, Rose Law Group Immigration Dept. Chair
Back on June 18th the Biden Administration announced its Keeping Families Together initiative, a program that will allow undocumented spouses of US Citizens an easier path to legalizing their immigration status than under current law.
The program will require the spouse to demonstrate continuous presence in the United States since June 17, 2014, proof of legal marriage to their USC citizen spouse, no disqualifying criminal or immigration history, and an exercise of favorable discretion.
Applicants will have to file a form called an I131F through a USCIS online account, pay a filing fee of $580 dollars, and submit to biometrics and background checks in the interest of national security and public safety.
If approved, the applicant will be granted Parole in Place, which would then entitle them to file an application for a work permit, and ultimately, an application to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident or GREEN CARD, without having to depart the United States and separate from their family.
This program will favorably affect an estimated 500,000 undocumented spouses of United States citizens. For more information reach out to a qualified immigration attorney! Link to program criteria: https://www.uscis.gov/keepingfamiliestogether
