"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..."
"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 United States, 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."
— USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou

The current administration is very committed to promoting family unity. This means they want families to stay together, even if one of their members was not born in the United States. That’s why they created a process called Keeping Families United. This process allows certain spouses or stepchildren of U.S. citizens, who do not have legal papers, to stay in the country and apply for permanent residency without having to leave their loved ones.

To use this process, people must fill out a form called Form I-131F. This form can only be sent online, so you should not try to send it by mail because it will be rejected. USCIS has also created a special guide to help people fill out the form correctly.

The cost to submit this form is $580, and right now, there are no fee waivers available for this process. It’s important to be careful with people who say they can help get faster or better results if you pay them, because they might be trying to scam you.

If everything goes well and you get the parole in place, this permission will be valid for three years from the date it is approved. However, if you leave the United States, the permission will automatically be canceled. DHS can also cancel it if they decide it’s no longer justified.

As long as your permission is valid, you will be considered in a period of authorized stay, and you can apply for other immigration statuses you might be eligible for, including permanent residency.

Who can participate?

To participate in Keeping Families United, you must meet certain requirements. If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, you must:

Be in the United States without legal permission.
Have been continuously in the country since at least June 17, 2014.
Be legally married to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024.
Not have serious criminal records or be considered a threat to safety.
Provide your biometrics and go through the required background checks.

If you are the stepchild of a U.S. citizen, you must:

Have been under 21 years old and unmarried on June 17, 2024.
Be in the United States without legal permission.
Have been continuously in the country since at least June 17, 2024.
Have a parent who is legally married to a U.S. citizen before you turned 18 years old.
Not have serious criminal records or be considered a threat to safety.
Provide your biometrics and go through the required background checks.

This process is a great opportunity for many families who want to stay together and live in the United States without the fear of being separated. For more information, you can visit the USCIS website.

If you need assistance, you cancontact us (www.usia.legal/411). We are the U.S. Immigration Assistance team, here to serve you.

Please remember to read our disclaimer (https://www.usia.legal/disclaimer) for important information.