As of August 26, 2024, the Keeping Families Together program has encountered a legal challenge that has temporarily affected its operations. This program, which provides parole in place (PIP) for noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens who entered the U.S. without authorization at least 10 years ago, is facing an administrative stay issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security (Case Number 24-cv-306). The court’s order prevents the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from granting any new parole in place requests under this program for a period of time.
Key Details:
- Initial Stay: The court’s initial stay was set for 14 days starting on August 26, 2024.
- Extended Stay: The stay was extended and now remains in effect until September 23, 2024.
- Impact on Applications: During this period, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is unable to grant any pending parole in place requests under the Keeping Families Together program.
What USCIS Will Continue to Do: Despite the stay, USCIS has confirmed that it will continue certain actions related to the program:
- Filing of Form I-131F: USCIS will continue to accept new filings of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.
- Biometric Appointments: Applicants can still expect to receive biometric appointment notices and have their biometrics taken at Application Support Centers (ASCs).
- Pre-Stay Approvals Remain Unaffected: If your parole in place application was approved before the court’s stay order, issued at 6:46 p.m. Eastern Time on August 26, 2024, the approval remains valid and unaffected by this legal development.
What This Means for You:
For families relying on the Keeping Families Together program, this stay introduces uncertainty and delays in receiving parole in place. However, it is important to note that the program is still accepting applications, and USCIS will continue processing them as much as possible under the current restrictions.
If you have any questions about your parole in place application or the potential impact of this stay on your case, please feel free to reach out to our office. We are closely monitoring the situation and are here to assist you and your family in navigating these temporary legal obstacles.
Stay tuned for further updates, as we expect additional developments after September 23, 2024.
Contact Us Today
If you are affected by this situation or want to know more about how this legal decision may impact your immigration case, we are here to help. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation, and we will provide you with the guidance you need during this uncertain time.
This update is part of our commitment to keeping our clients and community informed about significant changes in immigration law. Keep following our blog for more updates!
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