The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Federal Register notice to implement “Keeping Families Together,” a new process designed to promote family unity and stability for certain noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. This initiative aims to strengthen families, enhance economic prosperity in American communities, bolster diplomatic ties with partner countries, and advance national security, public safety, and border security objectives.
“Too often, noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens—many of them mothers and fathers—live with uncertainty due to undue barriers in our immigration system,” stated Ur M. Jaddou, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). “This process to keep U.S. families together will remove these undue barriers for those who would otherwise qualify to live and work lawfully in the U.S., while also creating greater efficiencies in the immigration system, conducting effective screening and vetting, and focusing on noncitizens who contribute to and have longstanding connections within American communities across the country.”
Key Details of the New Process
Effective August 19, 2024, USCIS will begin accepting requests for the Keeping Families Together process from eligible noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. Applicants must submit Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place, online via their myUSCIS account, with a filing fee of $580. Fee waiver requests for this form will not be accepted.
To qualify, noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens must meet the following criteria:
- Be present in the United States without admission or parole.
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2014, through the date of filing the request.
- Be in a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
- Have no disqualifying criminal history and not pose a threat to public safety, national security, or border security.
- Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks.
Noncitizen stepchildren must:
- Have been under the age of 21 and unmarried on June 17, 2024.
- Be present in the United States without admission or parole.
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2024, through the date of filing the request.
- Have a noncitizen parent who entered into a legally valid marriage with a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024, and before the child’s 18th birthday.
- Have no disqualifying criminal history and not pose a threat to public safety, national security, or border security.
- Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks.
Protecting Program Integrity
USCIS emphasizes its commitment to the integrity of the Keeping Families Together process, utilizing existing training and practices to identify fraudulent evidence. Applications will be rigorously reviewed, with stringent procedures to detect potential fraud, ensuring that fraudulent marriages do not serve as the basis for adjustment of status.
Estimated Impact
DHS estimates that up to 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens may meet the eligibility criteria for this process. If granted parole, these individuals may apply for lawful permanent residence without needing to leave the country.
This initiative aligns with longstanding U.S. immigration policies, including similar provisions for family members of U.S. military personnel and veterans. For further information on eligibility criteria, the application process, and guidelines for avoiding scams, visit the Keeping Families Together page on the USCIS website.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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