While we are in Los Angeles, CA, we know there are military families all around the world who serve our country. When a family member is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, the last thing they should worry about is the immigration status of their loved ones back home.
What is Military Parole in Place (PIP)?
Parole in Place is a special action taken by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Normally, a person who enters the United States without being inspected by an immigration officer, which is often referred to as “Entry Without Inspection” (EWI), cannot apply for a Green Card from within the country. They would have to leave the U.S. to attend an interview abroad, which often triggers a long, painful separation from their family due to immigration barriers.
Military PIP changes this. It gives the eligible family member a parole status, meaning that for immigration purposes, it’s as if they were paroled into the U.S. PIP does not grant you a Green Card right away, but it removes a major roadblock, paving a clear, focused route to getting your lawful permanent residence, often in two years or less, which is my firm’s main goal.
Who Qualifies for Military Parole in Place?
Eligibility for Military PIP centers on your relationship with a qualifying U.S. service member and your own immigration history. You must be the spouse, widow/widower, parent, son, or daughter (of any age or marital status) of a person who is, or was:
Qualifying Military Service Member
- An Active-Duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard).
- A person in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.
- A Veteran who previously served on active duty or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and who was not dishonorably discharged.
Qualifying Family Member
The immigrant family member requesting Parole in Place must:
- Be physically present in the United States.
- Have entered the U.S. without being inspected (EWI), or be a person who was inspected but is still considered an applicant for admission.
- Be able to prove their qualifying family relationship to the service member (e.g., through a birth certificate or marriage certificate).
- Not have a serious criminal conviction or other adverse factors that would cause USCIS to deny the application as a matter of discretion.
How to Apply for Military Parole in Place
The application process for Military PIP involves submitting a formal request to USCIS. There is no fee for this application, but you must submit a strong and complete packet of documents.
Step 1: Complete Form I-131
You must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Although the form is typically used for travel documents, you will use it to request a grant of Parole in Place. Make sure to write “Military PIP” in the appropriate section to indicate the purpose of your application clearly.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
Your application must include proof of your identity, your relationship to the service member, and the service member’s military service. You will need:
- Proof of Identity and Nationality: A copy of your passport or birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID.
- Two Passport-Style Photos of yourself.
- Proof of Relationship:
- Spouse: Copy of your marriage certificate.
- Parent/Child: Copy of the child’s birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship.
- Proof of Military Service: A copy of the service member’s military ID (DD Form 1173) or their discharge papers (DD Form 214) showing an honorable discharge if they are a veteran.
- Service Member’s Status: Proof that the service member is a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (e.g., a copy of a Green Card or U.S. Passport).
- Evidence of Favorable Discretionary Factors: Letters of support from community leaders, evidence of your community involvement, or proof of hardship if the family were separated.
Step 3: Mail the Application to USCIS
You must send your complete application packet to the designated USCIS Lockbox facility. The address you use will depend on the state where you live. If you are in Los Angeles, please use the address listed on the USCIS website for California applications, we can help with all other locations.
If USCIS approves your request, they will mail you an approval notice and your Form I-94, which is the official document that confirms your parole into the U.S.
My Commitment to Your American Dream
I know that dealing with immigration paperwork can be frustrating and overwhelming. I built Mi Sueño Americano to help people like you who have a clear and established route to Green Card residency but just need the right guidance to make it happen. I will work with you to simplify the process, focusing specifically on your Green Card, which means not just pushing for paperwork, but helping you achieve that final, crucial goal.
I am here to ensure you do not feel intimidated by the law or confused by the process. If you are anywhere in the world, and a family member of a U.S. service member, we can connect by zoom or WhatsApp from our office in Los Angeles, CA. I am ready to review your case, clarify your path to a Green Card, and initiate the application process. Call me today at (323) 672-4423 to take the next step toward your lawful permanent residency.
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