The Biden administration is launching a program on Monday that will allow spouses of U.S. citizens without legal permission to stay in the country to legalize their status without leaving. This new program offers hope to individuals like Roberto Garcia, who has been waiting for seven years for an appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez. The program, called “parole in place,” requires applicants to have been continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years, not pose a security threat, and have been married to a citizen by June 17. It offers a path to citizenship and work authorization, with an estimated 500,000 people and 50,000 children being eligible.
Immigrant groups have been reaching out to help people understand the program and dispel misinformation. Concerns exist regarding who will benefit from the program, possible legal challenges, and its survival after the presidential election. Many couples have been checking their eligibility and weighing the risks associated with applying. Activists and lawyers are concerned about potential Republican lawsuits and the future of the program under a different administration. Unlike the excitement surrounding the DACA program, there has been hesitancy among potential applicants, with many unsure of the program’s longevity.
While many eligible couples are excited about the program, not everyone will qualify. One major factor that may disqualify individuals is if they returned to their home country at some point, making them ineligible. The urgency to apply is heightened by the possibility of a Trump presidency ending the policy. Immigration attorneys are advising clients to wait and see the election results before applying. For individuals like Roberto Garcia and María Zambrano, this program offers a chance to avoid the risk of leaving the U.S. for an interview at a consulate. Despite the risks associated with applying, the potential benefits of legal status are significant for these individuals, including being able to reunite with family members and access basic amenities like a driver’s license and health insurance.
Garcia, who has been living and working in the U.S. since 2009, dreams of reuniting with his family in Mexico after 15 years. For Zambrano, the opportunity to gain legal status means being able to visit her family in Colombia without fear of not being able to return. As the government begins accepting applications for the program, eligible couples like Garcia and Zambrano are preparing to apply. Despite concerns about the future of the policy, these individuals are hopeful that the program will provide them with a chance to legalize their status and build a more secure future for themselves and their families.
