If you’re a U.S. citizen with a spouse who’s an unauthorized (undocumented) immigrant, you likely know that you’re far from alone. That doesn’t make the situation any easier.
Hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of citizens feel they’ve had no practical option but to live in the shadows. That’s because under the law, in order to apply for a green card and permanent legal resident status, they’d have to first leave the U.S. (generally to return to their home country) for ten years or more.
By remaining in the U.S., however, they have limited access to employment, education and health care. They’re always at risk of deportation.
An expansion of the PIP program to non-military families
That’s why President Joe Biden announced this June that his administration is expanding the Parole in Place (PIP) program that the military offers to spouses in “mixed-status” marriages and to their undocumented children who came to the U.S. with them to include non-military families. The Keeping Families Together program was implemented two months later.
To qualify for a green card under this program, an undocumented immigrant must have been married for at least ten years (consecutively) to their spouse who is a U.S. citizen (by birth or naturalization). In fact, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), most people who would qualify for the program have been in the country (and in some cases married) for more than twice that long. With a green card, they would be able to get a permit to work legally and not have to fear deportation for being in the country illegally.
The program’s expansion is estimated to allow at least a half million immigrant spouses to gain legal permanent residency status and approximately 50,000 of their children under 21 to become legal residents.
It’s wise to find out more about the program and how to apply. If you have questions or concerns because your situation might be complicated, it helps to have experienced legal guidance.