Keeping Families In Place: Biden’s new immigration policy opens, what to know
FILE - US President Joe Biden steps off of Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on August 16, 2024, on his way to camp David for the weekend. (Photo by Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images)
Registration has opened for a sweeping new immigration plan under President Joe Biden that could eventually grant citizenship to half a million immigrants.
The plan, known as Keeping Families Together, provides a process for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship without having to first depart the country.
Here’s what to know about the process and how it works:
What is Keeping Families Together?
Keeping Families Together is the name of President Joe Biden’s new immigration policy for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens.
The application process could grant qualifying immigrants what’s called parole in place, which allows them to get on the path to U.S. permanent residency without having to leave the country.
The process removes a common barrier for those without legal status but married to Americans, and was welcome news to families with mixed-immigration status when it was announced in June.
The policy expands on authority previously used by presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to allow parole in place for family members of military members.
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Who qualifies for Keeping Families Together?
Adults that qualify for Keeping Families Together
To qualify for Biden’s policy, an immigrant must have lived in the United States for 10 years and be married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
If a qualifying immigrant’s application is approved, he or she would have three years to apply for a green card and receive a temporary work permit and be shielded from deportation in the meantime.
Children who qualify for Keeping Families Together
About 50,000 noncitizen children with parents who are married to a U.S. citizen could also potentially qualify for the process, according to senior administration officials.
There is no requirement on how long the couple must have been married, but eligibility ended on June 17, 2024. That means immigrants who reach that 10-year mark after June 17, 2024, will not qualify for the program, according to the officials.
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Form I-131F
To request a grant of parole in place under Keeping Families Together, Form I-131F must be filed online. This form is now available as of Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.
You can find the file and more information here at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
The fee to apply is $580. No fee waivers or expedited proceedings are available.