UPDATE: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S PAROLE IN PLACE PROGRAM FOR SPOUSES OF U.S. CITIZENS STRUCK DOWN BY FEDERAL COURT

On November 7, 2024, the Parole In Place program was struck down by a federal court. Although the Biden Administration may appeal the decision, given the results of the recent presidential election, it is unlikely the program will be reinstated.

This article was written before the court order.  It outlines the main issues of the proposed program, which are now moot.

In the author’s view, since many of the parole program’s beneficiaries would have been relatives of Hispanic immigrants living in the United States, it is puzzling why nearly 50% of Latinos who voted supported the Trump campaign.

However, parole may be dead, but at least two options for would-be applicants remain that may still help them one day win permnent residence.

On June 18, 2024, President Biden announced a new program entitled “Process To Promote The Unity And Stability of Families”, for immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens.

The proposal relies on a concept known as Parole-In-Place.

This form of parole enables immigrants, already in the U.S. – who have not been admitted – to remain in the United States. Generally, parole-in-place has been reserved for specific family members of a current or past member of the U.S. military.

With the announcement, the Biden Administration expanded the use of Parole-In-Place to immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens. Those who are approved will receive a three-year work permit, deferral from deportation, and allowed to apply for permanent residency in the U.S.

Immigration law has many quirky rules.

In some cases, this is because laws and customs in other countries do not match up with laws and customs in the United States.

Take polygamy.

Long condemned in the U.S., polygamy has been practiced in over 81% of societies across the world.

As a result, husbands and wives lawfully wedded abroad are often left behind when they seek permanent resident status.

U.S. immigration law has many policy potholes.

Citizenship rules for adopted immigrant children is one such problem.

Brought here as youngsters, thousands end up living their adult lives without a country they can truly call home.

Here’s an interesting idea for family-friendly immigration reform.

Ancestry Visas.

It’s a concept I learned about while doing research about immigration issues in the United Kingdom.

For several years, fixing our immigration system has been a hot political topic.

Building a border wall has been at the forefront of most Congressional proposals.  Several  representatives tout it as the primary cure for an overflow of immigrants trying to enter our country without legal documents.

This approach is short-sighted.

It negects the main component necessary for constructive immigration reform.

Like many immigrants who visit my office, Danny had run into problems when he tried to enter the United States.

It wasn’t the lack of entry documents.

It wasn’t due to an expired visa.

It wasn’t the result of a criminal history.

Rather, it was the lack of his ability to speak English fluently.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. But it’s what happens after the need subsides that the real quality of friendship is determined.

Take the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program (FWVP) implemented by the Obama Administration on June 8, 2016.

The new program, noted UCSIS Director Leon Rodriguez, “honors the thousands of Filipinos who bravely enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II.”

The commentary both overstated and understated the reality.

It started at the grill.

Trapped In The 1960s: Immigrant Relative Visas

Like every summer.

I, along with a few friends, sponsor an annual day-long neighborly celebration. A community-wide barbeque. (I’m the master chef. It’s my Bobby Flay imitation.)

When one is caught up in the details of day-to-day skirmishes, it is not uncommon to lose sight of the greater battle being waged.

Following the president’s announcement last fall that he had set the stage for immigrants to come out from the shadows, supporters bathed in the warm glow of political delusion. Now many advocates seem astonished by the recent news that his executive orders are likely to be derailed by a federal court ruling.

In reality, this development is no surprise.