On November 7, 2024, a federal district court in Texas struck down the Biden Administration’s Keeping Families Together parole in place program. The ruling comes after the court’s earlier temporary halt to the program. The Biden Administration may appeal the decision. We will provide an update once more information is available.

The new Parole in Place (PIP) program is launching this summer, providing a pathway for certain undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States legally. The program was just announced but it you might have the following questions:

• What are the requirements for Parole in Place?
• How do I apply for Parole in Place?
• What documents do I need to apply for Parole in Place?
• How long will it take for my Parole in Place application to be approved?
• With Parole in Place can I apply for a Green Card?

USCIS has not released information on some of those questions but in this article we will walk you through two specific and important questions: What are the Requirements for Parole in Place and What Documents Do I Need for Parole in Place?o be eligible, applicants must meet specific requirements. We will tell you everything you need to know.

We will walk you through each of the requirements and then each of the documents that you can submit to show that you are eligible for each requirement.

Parole in Place Eligibility Requirements

1. Current Presence in the United States Without Admission or Parole: You must currently be in the U.S. without having been formally admitted or paroled into the country.
2. Continuous Presence in the United States for at Least 10 Years as of June 17, 2024: You must have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least 10 years by June 17, 2024.
3. Legally Valid Marriage to a U.S. Citizen or Qualifying Stepchild of a U.S. Citizen as of June 17, 2024: You must be married to a U.S. citizen or be a qualifying stepchild of a U.S. citizen as of this date.
4. No Disqualifying Criminal History or Threat to National Security/Public Safety: You must have a clean criminal record and pose no threat to national security or public safety.

Documents Needed to Apply for Parole in Place: Supporting Evidence

To prove your eligibility, you will need to provide various documents. Here’s how you can show you meet each requirement:

1. Continuous Residence in the US for Ten Years

• Lease Agreements or Mortgage Statements for the Past Ten Years: These documents show where you have lived and for how long.
• Bank Statements Showing Regular Transactions Over the Past Ten Years: Regular transactions on bank statements can show that you have been living and working in the U.S. continuously.
• Employment Records, Including Pay Stubs and W-2 Forms, for the Past Ten Years: These documents prove your work history and can show a continuous presence in the country.
• School Records for Any Children Listing the Parent and Address of Records: If your children have been attending school, their records can provide proof of your continuous residence.
• Medical Records Showing the Applicant's Name and Address Over the Past Ten Years: Regular medical visits documented in medical records can help prove your presence in the U.S.
• Insurance Policies (Health, Auto, Home) Listing the Applicant's Name and Address: These policies can show that you have been maintaining insurance in the U.S., indicating continuous residence.
• Income Tax Returns Filed for the Past Ten Years: Filing taxes regularly can be strong evidence of your presence and work history in the U.S.
• Affidavits from Neighbors, Landlords, or Community Members: Signed statements from people in your community who can attest to your residence over the past ten years can also be very helpful.

2. Proof of a Lawful Marriage to a US Citizen Spouse

• Marriage Certificate: This is the primary document that proves you are legally married.
• Joint Bank Account Statements: These can show that you share financial responsibilities with your spouse.
• Joint Utility Bills: Utility bills in both names show that you live together.
• Joint Lease or Mortgage Documents: These documents can prove that you live together and share housing costs.
• Joint Tax Returns: Filing taxes together shows financial unity and a valid marriage.
• Birth Certificates of Any Children Born to the Couple: These can further show the legitimacy of your marriage.

3. Proof of the Spouse's US Citizenship

• US Birth Certificate: This shows that your spouse was born in the United States and is a citizen.
• Certificate of Naturalization: If your spouse became a U.S. citizen through naturalization, this certificate will prove their status.
• Certificate of Citizenship: This can be used to prove your spouse's citizenship if they were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad: This document shows that your spouse was born abroad to U.S. citizen parents and is therefore a U.S. citizen.
• US Passport: A valid U.S. passport is strong evidence of U.S. citizenship.

These documents are examples of some of the evidence that will help make sure that you have a strong application that can potentially avoid any delays from USCIS processing. Like all US immigration applications, it is important to submit all of the required documents and following these examples will help you build a strong case for your eligibility for the Parole in Place program. Make sure to keep your records organized and submit copies of everything required. Want to learn more about the Parole in Place program? Check out this Fact Sheet Published by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Get A Head Start on PIP

By gathering these types of documents now you will be well prepared to start filling out your PIP application as soon as USCIS releases details and makes the application process available later this summer. Thanks for your interest in SimpleCitizen. We make the immigration process simple. We’re happy you’re here!

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On November 7, 2024, a federal district court in Texas struck down the Biden Administration’s Keeping Families Together parole in place program. The ruling comes after the court’s earlier temporary halt to the program. The Biden Administration may appeal the decision. We will provide an update once more information is available.

The USCIS Military Parole in Place Program Can Help You Understand What to Expect From Biden’s PIP Program Later this Summer

There have been a lot of immigration announcements over the past few weeks. Former President Trump recently announced that if he wins the election in November he would like to automatically grant students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities a green card. Before that,  the Biden administration announced a new parole in place (PIP) program that will create a pathway to green cards and citizenship for certain undocumented spouses (and stepchildren) of U.S. Citizens. These developments can be a lot to follow, but don’t worry we have got you covered. You can research and compare the approaches from Trump and Biden by reading this previous article.

Whether you prefer former President Trump or President Biden’s approach there is no denying that the upcoming Biden PIP program represents an exciting and impactful opportunity for immigrants to strengthen the unity of their families. And we want to provide you with as much information as we can to help you navigate the Biden administration’s PIP application process when it becomes available.

Biden PIP Program Eligibility

Previously, we published articles that discuss what we know about the Biden program so far and what types of evidence USCIS will probably be looking for from applicants to prove their eligibility. If you have not yet read those articles, feel free to catch up with us. In the meantime, here is a quick list of what we know the eligibility requirements will be for the Biden PIP program based on the best information available from USCIS right now:

1. Current Presence in the United States Without Admission or Parole: You must currently be in the U.S. without having been formally admitted or paroled into the country.
2. Continuous Presence in the United States for at Least 10 Years as of June 17, 2024: You must have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least 10 years by June 17, 2024.
3. Legally Valid Marriage to a U.S. Citizen or Qualifying Stepchild of a U.S. Citizen as of June 17, 2024: You must be married to a U.S. citizen or be a qualifying stepchild of a U.S. citizen as of this date.
4. No Disqualifying Criminal History or Threat to National Security/Public Safety: You must have a clean criminal record and pose no threat to national security or public safety.

Now, let’s compare the USCIS military PIP program with what we know about the Biden administration’s recently announced effort to establish a PIP program for certain undocumented individuals with a qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen.

Military PIP Program vs. Biden PIP Program Comparison Chart

In our earlier article we suggested that the current military PIP program may be the best example of what the Biden administration’s new PIP program might look like. Below, we have provided a comparison chart so you can more easily understand the differences of the two programs and better anticipate what the Biden PIP program will look like when more details are released later this year (hopefully this summer).

Question About PIPMilitary Parole in Place ProgramBiden Parole in Place ProgramIs there a required length of residence in the United States?No. There is no residency requirement for military PIPYes. Spouses of U.S. Citizens need 10 years of continuous residence as of June 17, 2024.For stepchildren, we do not yet know if there will be a residence requirement.What type of relationships to a U.S. citizen qualify?Spouses, children, and parents of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residents U.S. service member (active-duty, veteran, or select reserve of the ready reserve) qualify.Spouses and children (including stepchildren) of U.S. Citizens only. The spouse and children must have a qualifying relationship as of June 17, 2024.(Today it is unclear if standalone stepchildren will be able to apply independently, or if stepchildren will be able to apply only after a parent receives PIP first.)By what date must an applicant be married to a US Citizen to qualify? There is no deadline for when a qualifying relationship must be established to apply for military PIP.The marriage must have happened on or before June 17, 2024.What is the time period to apply for adjustment of status once parole is issued?There is no defined time-period to apply for adjustment of status after receiving military PIP approval. However, best practice is to apply within one-year of approval. According to the information available today, successful Biden PIP applicants will have 3 years to adjust status.What are the fees to apply?There are no fees to apply for military PIP.There will be an application fee, but details have not yet been released.Is employment authorization available?Yes.Yes. Successful applicants will qualify for 3 years of employment authorization. Is favorable exercise of discretion by USCIS required?Yes. USCIS must exercise favorable prosecutorial discretion. Yes. USCIS must exercise favorable prosecutorial discretion. Can applicants apply if they are in removal proceedings?No. Military PIP applicants in removal proceedings must first obtain prosecutorial discretion before applying. Yes, but only if they are not an enforcement priority as determined by law enforcement agencies.

**The above chart is based on the most current information available about the above discussed programs as of June 27, 2024. As more details are released program qualifications and eligibility requirements may change.**

What does this mean for immigrants?

Right now, USCIS has not released many details about the Biden administration’s PIP process. As more information becomes available we will definitely share it with you. In the meantime, it is a good idea for immigrant’s who think they might want to apply for PIP to anticipate what this program might look like once it is up and running. The military PIP program is probably the best example available. Additionally, if you think you might want to apply for PIP later this summer when the application process opens up, be sure to start collecting your supporting documents now so that you are positioned to act quickly and put your best foot forward. To help you with that we put together a list of supporting documents you will want to have ready to prove your eligibility.

We're happy you're here - and we've got your back!

While the policy changes are still in the early stages, we are monitoring USCIS updates and the media so you do not have to. The moment something changes and things become official, we will let you know. Thanks for your interest in SimpleCitizen. We make the immigration process simple. We’re happy you’re here!

Last Updated: February 13, 2024

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On January 30, 2024, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an approved fee increase that will go into effect on April 1, 2024. This fee change includes increased pricing for many applications and petitions. The reason for these fee changes is that application fees fund the majority of USCIS’s financial needs for operation and to more fully recover its operating costs, reestablish and maintain timely case processing, and prevent the accumulation of future case backlogs.” The previous fee increase was completed by USCIS in 2016. 

2024 Fee Updates: 

The announced fee changes impact almost all immigration application types. In this article, we will review primarily the application types that SimpleCitizen offers.

Biometrics Fee

Note: While previously charged separately on various applications, the biometrics fee has been removed and is now part of the set application fee for a form.

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Form I-130

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Adjustment of Status (Form I-485 and connected forms)

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I-131 (When filed with Form I-485)

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I-765 (When filed with Form I-485)

*This fee will also be required for renewal of the EAD if required.

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Removal of Conditions

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Fiance Visa

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Naturalization

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Renewal

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Important things to note:

The new fee changes will go into effect on applications received by USCIS starting on April 1, 2024. This means your application must be postmarked prior to April 1 in order for the previous fee amounts to be accepted. Beginning April 1, 2024, all applications will be subject to the updated fee schedule.

Please note that this rule intends to preserve the existing fee waiver eligibility for low-income and vulnerable populations. It also includes the addition of new fee exemptions for certain humanitarian programs.

Questions about your USCIS application?

Reach out to SimpleCitizen today and start your application. We know the path through US immigration processes can feel overwhelming, but we’re happy you’re here! Reach out to our chat support team to determine if we can help you submit prior to the fee increase.

On August 21, 2023, USCIS announced that they have released an online form to request in-person appointments at a local field office. This form can be used by individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to create the request. It is important to note that these appointment requests can be used for reasons such as ADIT stamps (I-551 stamp), Emergency Advance Parole, Immigration Judge Grants, and more. This is not an appointment to review your immigration application with USCIS. USCIS will continue to schedule those appointments according to their timelines and availability.

USCIS states, “It is not a self-scheduling tool, and individuals cannot schedule their own appointments with USCIS. The USCIS Contact Center will review submitted forms and the availability of in-person appointments at a specific field office. Individuals may request a specific date and time for an in-person appointment, but USCIS cannot guarantee that the requested appointment date will be scheduled. USCIS will confirm and schedule the individual for an available in-person appointment date and time.”

Appointments can be scheduled on the following website: my.uscis.gov/appointment

USCIS Announces Online Self-Service Tool to Reschedule Biometric Services Appointments

On June 28, 2023, USCIS announced an online self-service tool to reschedule biometric services appointments. This can be done through my.uscis.gov online accounts by benefit requestors, their attorneys, or their representatives for individuals who filed on paper or online applications.

USCIS outlines the following process to make those requests, "To use the biometric services appointment rescheduling tool, individuals who have good cause to reschedule must first create a USCIS online account (if they do not already have one) and visit my.uscis.gov before their scheduled appointment date. The individual must:

• Select the Biometric Rescheduling option;
• Follow the on-screen instructions to reserve a new appointment time and/or appointment location;
• Choose a method (email or SMS message) to receive a confirmation message once a printable copy of the new appointment notice is available; and
• Print the new appointment notice to bring to the application support center (ASC).

Each person must then bring the printed new appointment notice along with a valid, unexpired photo identification (for example, Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card), passport, or driver’s license) or other identity documentation as authorized by USCIS to the appointment. If the applicant has more than one biometric services appointment notice, the applicant should bring all notices to the ASC appointment. A printed copy of an appointment notice is required by the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and ASCs will not accept electronic copies of notices."

They have also provided a Policy Manual Update to explain when untimely requests or missed appointments will be considered for rescheduling appointments.

They state that "Good cause exists where the request to reschedule provides a sufficient reason for the benefit requestor’s inability to appear on the scheduled appointment date. Sufficient reasons for “good cause” may include, but are not limited to:

• Illness, medical appointment, or hospitalization;
• Previously planned travel;
• Significant life events such as a wedding, funeral, or graduation ceremony;
• Inability to obtain transportation to the appointment location;
• Inability to obtain leave from employment or caregiver responsibilities; and
• Late delivered or undelivered biometric services appointment notice."

In addition, they have provided specific circumstances where biometrics appointments can still be rescheduled via contacting the USCIS contact center. Stating, "You must still call the USCIS Contact Center to reschedule an appointment if:  

• The request is within 12 hours of your existing appointment time;
• This is the third attempt to reschedule the same appointment;
• The request is for a missed appointment; or
• The tool is unavailable due to technical reasons."

Published April 3, 2023

As of March 31, 2023, USCIS has updated its guidance on selecting gender markers on its forms and documents. Previously, individuals were required to indicate their gender based on their legal documents, but effective immediately, USCIS will allow individuals requesting immigration benefits to self-identify their gender marker. The selected gender will not be required to match the gender marker from their supporting documentation, and no additional documentation will be required. However, this does not apply to Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.

USCIS has indicated that currently, the only gender markers available are “Male” and “Female,” but The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively working on adding an “X” marker “for another or unspecified gender identity.” Once that has been updated, USCIS will update its forms.

On Jan 3, 2023, USCIS proposed a fee increase, including increased pricing for many applications and petitions. The reason for these fee changes is that application fees fund the majority of USCIS's financial needs for operation. It has been announced that these proposed fee increases are meant to help USCIS “more fully recover its operating costs, reestablish and maintain timely case processing, and prevent the accumulation of future case backlogs.”

It is important to note that at this point, these increases are only in the proposal stage and are currently undergoing a 60-day comment period. During this time, the public can submit comments and feedback on the proposed fees. Following the comment period, USCIS will review the comments and make adjustments before finalizing the fee schedule.

How does this impact intending immigrants?

If approved, the proposed fee changes would significantly increase the cost of immigration for the majority of applicants. 

Here is a list of some of the ways fees could change if this proposal is approved: 

1. The filing fee for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, would increase from $535 to $820, 
2. The Filing fee for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, would increase from $1225 to $1540. 
3. USCIS would start requiring separate filing fees for Form I-131 and Form I-765 filings, even when filed concurrently with Form I-485. 
4. The reduced fees for children filing with parents would be done away with, increasing costs for families that adjust status together.

USCIS also proposes significant increases to fiance visa applications, removal of conditions applications, naturalization applications, and many other petitions and applications. For more information on all of the proposed changes, see USCIS’s FAQ page and the Proposed Rule. 

Please note that this proposed rule intends on preserving the existing fee waiver eligibility for low-income and vulnerable populations. It also proposes the addition of new fee exemptions for certain humanitarian programs. 

What is the USCIS timeline for the fee change?

The USCIS 60-day comment period began on January 4, 2023, and will end on March 6, 2023 (This comment period has now been extended to March 13th, 2023). After the period, they will still have to (1) finalize their updates based on the comments and (2) release the final information. While this finalization period can vary in length, the changes could go into effect anytime from April 2023 or beyond.

How can SimpleCitizen help you?

At SimpleCitizen, we understand that potential fee changes can add additional stress to the already stressful immigration process. While these fees have yet to be implemented and may change, they may significantly impact applications. Start your application today so you can have the peace of mind that no matter what fee increases occur, you have time to submit before their finalization!

Published April 3, 2023

As of March 31, 2023, USCIS has removed the rule requiring the civil surgeon’s signature on Form I-693 to be completed no more than 60 days before the applicant submits the underlying immigration application, including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

With the removal of this rule, applicants can now submit medical exams with their underlying application, even if the civil surgeon signed the exam more than 60 days before the submission. The medical exams, Form I-693, will now only be subject to their 2-year validity period from the time of signature to adjudication by USCIS. 

USCIS states that “This policy update will allow USCIS to adjudicate cases with immigration medical examinations that would previously have been considered invalid. Rather than issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for Form I-693 signed more than 60 days before the filing of the I-485, but otherwise valid, we will be able to accept these Forms I-693 for adjudicative purposes for up to 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form.”

Dated: December 5, 2024

Dec 2, 2024 Update: While USCIS previously allowed Form I-485 to be submitted without a complete Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, they changed that rule as of December 2, 2024, and now require that adjustment of status applicants submit the medical exam at the time of submission of Form I-485.

On December 14th, 2022 USCIS informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) of their recommendation that green card applicants filing form I-485 file, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, also file Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, along with their application. 

While applicants do have the option to file the I-693 either with the initial application or at a later point as requested by USCIS, this new recommendation to file it with the initial application is given due to USCIS’s expansion of potential interview waivers for family-based application. By including the completed medical examination with the I-485 filing, applicants will reduce the risk of receiving a Request for Evidence for the I-693 if USCIS chooses to waive their interview. 

USCIS has not provided the methods that they use in determining whether a case’s interview will be waived. 

Information retrieved from AILA Doc No. 22121452

Last updated May 5, 2021.

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Joseph R Biden Jr was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States on January 20, 2021. Since then we’ve seen significant changes and expect to see further improvements in immigration law. There are a number of actions that the Biden-Harris administration has proposed to improve the immigration system.

Family Separation:

They will end family separation at the border and reunite children with their parents. They will not use a zero-tolerance policy as an intimidation tactic.

Asylum

They will open more access to asylum. They will do this by expanding the meaning of persecution, or the grounds on which to seek asylum. For example, they want to extend protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. They also want to end the Migrant Protection Protocols, which forced individuals awaiting asylum cases to go back to their home countries while their cases are being processed. Furthermore, they will make sure that asylum applications are processed efficiently and with less limitations.

They will end prolonged detention, especially of children. They want to develop alternatives to detention, such as case management programs. These allow individuals to exit detention but continue to move through the legal system.

They want to send more resources to the border. Specifically, they want to work with private and public organizations that help asylum seekers at the border, such as those who provide shelter or legal aid. They will focus on working with established non-governmental organizations and other asylum/refugee assistance agencies.

Public Charge

On March 9, 2021, the 2019 Public Charge Rule was terminated. USCIS is no longer accepting or requiring Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency. The Biden administration saw the public charge rule as having added more roadblocks to immigration when individuals had to use public assistance such as SNAP or Medicaid. They want to allow individuals to use these services if they need them and still enjoy family reunification.

DACA

They want to protect DREAMers and their families. The ultimate goal is to provide a path to citizenship for DREAMers and their families, but for now, they will introduce protections. On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum entitled, “Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)” (“The Memo”).  USCIS is accepting first-time requests for DACA as well as renewals.

They will expand economic help for DACA students, such as access to federal student aid, community college without debt, and investment in minority colleges such as HBCUs.

Refugees and Representation

The Biden administration will rescind travel and refugee bans. They will not ban individuals based on their religion or the color of their skin. They will direct visa and other immigration applications to be re-opened from regions which previously saw immigration halts.

They will review the Temporary Protection Status (TPS) and the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs. They will make sure individuals who qualify for these programs are not returned to their home countries. They also hope to provide a path to citizenship to those TPS/DED individuals who have been in the United States for a long time. They have added the new TPS rules.

They will restore sensible immigration enforcement. They will focus enforcement on those migrants who pose a threat to public safety. Those who are in detention will see due process and other civil rights defended. There will be no workplace raids, or raids in other areas where individuals are vulnerable (such as hospitals, schools, and churches).

They will enforce better standards for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. They will receive more training and be required to be more transparent, and they will also receive independent oversight.

ICE will replace the word “illegal alien“ with “undocumented” and “integration” will replace “assimilation”.

They will protect those migrants who have served in the military. They will not be targeted for deportation, and those who have been deported will be paroled back to the United States and be reunited with their families and military service.

They want to give representation to non-citizens. They will do so by counting any individual living in a certain State at the time of the Census, regardless of immigration status.

Citizenship

They will improve the naturalization process. They will improve and streamline it by addressing the backlog. They hope to prioritize better adjudication (or decision making) systems, make processing quicker, and get rid of unreasonable filing fees.

They will revitalize the Task Force on New Americans. They will prioritize integration, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement and provide resources and training for language learning, financial management, workplace skills, and guidance on the naturalization process.

Finally, they hope to convene a meeting with regional leaders (from countries such as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras). These leaders will build a multi-national plan to address and alleviate factors driving immigration between the countries.

Joe Biden will focus on building bridges for immigrants and refugees to access the opportunities that the United States has to offer. He believes that immigrants are an integral part of this nation. He has emphasized that past Trump administration policies have hurt immigrants, and he hopes to return to policies that help them.