Maison Law Immigration Lawyers helps immigrants and their families through the citizenship process in California. There’s a lot of new options and programs available to help in this regard, many of which are similar to existing programs. Two of the most common are the new “Keeping Families Together” program and the existing “Parole in Place” program. Understanding the differences and similarities are important for knowing what your family’s best options are. To learn more, contact our team today for an initial consultation.
Why Do You Need an Immigration Lawyer?
Dealing with immigration issues can be intimidating, not only because there’s different options, but also because it’s difficult to know what information out there is credible, and what’s the best option for you and your family.
While you don’t need an immigration lawyer to complete applications and go through the process, the sheer number of different ways the citizenship process can go is reason enough to at least talk to our lawyers first. This can give you a better idea of what options are best for you, but it can also give you clarity and peace of mind in a tough situation.
Our team has the experience and knowledge that you need to make the best decisions for you and your family, including understanding the similarities and differences with the different immigration programs and options out there.
Is the Keeping Families Together Program Different From Parole in Place?
Generally speaking, the new “Keeping Families Together” program is different from “Parole in Place.”
For one, Keeping Families Together was officially instituted in August of 2024 as a way to make sure families weren’t separated by deportation. In practice, it’s a much broader program, designed for:
- Noncitizen spouses of current U.S. citizens that have lived continuously in the United States for 10 years or more.
It’s more inclusive than “Parole in Place”, which was initially designed for families of active-duty military members. So, the new program covers a wider range of situations and family members. While it doesn’t grant legal status, it does provide temporary relief from deportation and access to resources, including legal assistance, to help keep families together.
Both programs are very important for immigrant families, but serve different purposes and groups, making it important to understand which one is best for your particular situation.
Which Program is Best For My Family?
Obviously, which program is best for your family depends on your situation. That said, both the Keeping Families Together program and the Parole in Place program are designed for the same broad purpose: making sure your family isn’t separated by deportation or other immigration issues.
However, deciding which one is best comes down to the following:
- Military service – If your spouse is in the military currently, the Parole in Place program is probably your best option. Not only will it be less competitive than Keeping Families Together, but there’s likely to be more tailored resources for military families in place near you already.
- Family is already established in the U.S. – Chances are, if you meet the requirements for the Keeping Families Together program, you’ve already taken significant steps toward establishing your family unit in the United States. The 10 year requirement is no small feat, so if you’re a noncitizen married to a full citizen for that period of time already, it’s likely that your living arrangements and situation is already pretty well established. This makes the Keeping Families Together program right for you
Again, the immigration process is all about being prepared and having the right guidance. Maison Law Immigration Lawyers understands how important these programs can be to your daily life, and will be there to support you through the process.
Contact Maison Law Immigration Lawyers Today
At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, we are committed to making the “Keeping Families Together” program easy to understand, making sure you and your family have the information and guidance you need to stay on top of your status. Our experienced team will provide clear guidance and keep you updated on your application, regardless of which program you decide to go with. To get started or to simply talk about your options, contact us today to set up an initial consultation.
