The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched the “Keeping Families Together” program to offer eligible noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens a pathway to permanent residency. The goal is to strengthen family bonds, reduce forced separation, and ensure stability for families while supporting legal immigration processes.
Overview of the Program
Family unity is a cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system. However, challenges such as visa backlogs, underfunding, and the COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult for many undocumented spouses and stepchildren to access immigration benefits. According to DHS, approximately 765,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens currently live in the U.S.
The “Keeping Families Together” initiative provides legal avenues for nearly 500,000 eligible spouses to adjust their status without leaving the country, preventing long-term separation from their families.
Barriers to Family Unity
Long-Standing Challenges
Many undocumented immigrants have resided in the U.S. for decades, raising families and contributing to their communities. Despite this, a major obstacle in adjusting status is the “inspected and admitted or paroled” requirement, which disqualifies many individuals from applying for Lawful Permanent Residency (LPR) while staying in the U.S.
The Inspected and Admitted Requirement
Noncitizens who wish to apply for permanent residency must have been lawfully inspected and admitted into the U.S. Over two-thirds of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens do not meet this requirement. Traditionally, these individuals must leave the U.S. and apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad—a process that can cause long-term family separation.
Parole in Place: A Solution for Undocumented Spouses
Introduced in June 2024, this initiative allows eligible noncitizen spouses to apply for parole in place, a discretionary authorization under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This status enables them to remain in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency, effectively satisfying the “inspected and admitted” requirement.
Eligibility Criteria for Spouses
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be legally married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024.
- Have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least 10 years (since June 17, 2014).
- Have no disqualifying criminal record and pose no threat to public or national security.
- Meet discretionary merit criteria, as parole is granted on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility Criteria for Stepchildren
For stepchildren of U.S. citizens:
- Must be unmarried and under 21 years old (as of June 2024).
- Must have been physically present in the U.S. continuously since at least June 2024.
- One parent must be a non-U.S. citizen married to a U.S. citizen before the stepchild’s 18th birthday.
- Must have a clean criminal record and pose no threat to public or national security.
Application Process and Path to Permanent Residency
- Eligible spouses or stepchildren submit a parole in place application.
- Once granted, they can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) to become a lawful permanent resident.
- Parole in place fulfills the “inspected and admitted” requirement, enabling applicants to remain in the U.S. while completing the process.
Applicants must still meet all other legal requirements, including having an approved immigrant visa petition based on a legitimate relationship to a U.S. citizen.
Broader Impact of the Program
Promoting Family Unity
The program prevents unnecessary separation and emotional strain by allowing families to stay together while navigating immigration processes.
Economic and Social Benefits
Paroled individuals can work legally in the U.S., contributing to household income and the broader economy. Streamlining status adjustment also reduces consular workload and frees government resources for other priorities.
Diplomatic and Security Considerations
The initiative strengthens U.S. foreign policy and national security by encouraging undocumented immigrants to undergo background checks and security screening, fostering safer communities and improved diplomatic relations.
Conclusion
The “Keeping Families Together” program is a major step in preserving family unity, supporting economic contributions, and ensuring national security. U.S. citizens and their undocumented spouses or stepchildren should understand the eligibility criteria and take advantage of this opportunity to secure permanent residency and a stable future together.
For more information, contact XIPHIAS Immigration, your trusted partner for family-based immigration cases.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the Keeping Families Together program? Eligible noncitizen spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens who meet the continuous presence, age, marital status, and criminal background requirements.
Does parole in place allow applicants to stay in the U.S.? Yes, it allows eligible noncitizens to remain in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency.
How long must an applicant have lived in the U.S. to qualify? Applicants must have been physically present continuously for at least ten years.
Can stepchildren apply if one parent is not a U.S. citizen? Yes, but the non-U.S. citizen parent must have married the U.S. citizen before the stepchild’s 18th birthday.
