What You Need To Apply For A Military Parole In Place

Published January 08, 2024

Military Parole in Place is available for family members of present and former United States Armed Forces personnel. It is a unique program for undocumented family members of U.S. military personnel. It holds special features and benefits. It is famed for enabling a path to permanent residency.

MIL-PIP aims to ensure military members can carry out their duties. And it is without being distracted or preoccupied with the potential deportation of family members. It also serves to honor and acknowledge the military service of veterans.

Keep on reading as we’ll dive in on everything you need to know about military parole in place. We’ll discuss what it is, who is eligible, processing times, and requirements. We’ll also enumerate its benefits for your guidance. More importantly, discuss the pip application comprehensively. Let’s start.

Military Parole in Place

Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP) is an immigration benefit. It is reserved for military members and veterans, whether alive or deceased. It grants spouses, parents, and sons and daughters temporary approval to be in the U.S. while they seek permanent legal status.

Those receiving it are eligible for work authorization. They do not accrue unlawful presence during the period they receive parole. Military parole in place also permits family members to apply for immigration benefits. It is primarily those that demand lawful entry to the U.S.

It effectively began in 2007. The previous Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, Michael Chertoff, permitted the spouse of an active duty military member facing deportation. He let them stay in the country while their partner was missing in action.

The program was officially exercised in 2010 by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The policy was adjusted and clarified by USCIS. It was in November 2013 and November 2016.

Who Is Eligible for MIL-PIP?

Military parole in place is granted to spouses, parents, and sons and daughters of members of:

• Active duty members of the United States armed forces
• Selective Reserve of the Ready Reserve members (including National Guard members);
• Veterans (living or deceased) who have worked on active duty or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve were not dishonorably let out.

Despite their age, sons and daughters of qualifying military members and veterans are called for this benefit. It is also regardless of their marital status.

MIL-PIP can serve a critical benefit to many military families. Yet, how many service members or veterans know its existence is unclear. Many lack information about it. Thus, they may miss leveraging it as their family members seek legal immigration status.

Parole in Place Processing Time

The processing times for PIP increased from 2.5 months in 2017 to 5.1 months in June 2021. It is via a report of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. The data solely reflects the time from the receipt of the application to its completion. It does not comprise the time it takes to complete the application. Also, it does not account for gathering necessary supporting documentation.

Parole in Place Requirements

To apply for MIL-PIP, an eligible person must complete Form I-131, “Application for Travel Document.” Instead of checking one of the boxes beneath the application type in part 2 of the form, applicants must write in “Military PIP.”

In addition, the following documentation must be showcased with the application:

• Evidence of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.),
• Proof of service in the armed services,
• Passport photos, and
• If available, any additional “favorable discretionary factors.”

Upon fulfillment, the application and all supporting documentation must be directed to the local USCIS office.

Parole in Place Military Benefits

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) permits parole in place to be granted on a case-by-case basis. It is for urgent humanitarian reasons. Also, for significant public benefits.

Military family beneficiaries granted it are given authorization to stay and work in the United States. More importantly, PIP beneficiaries are paroled for applying for a Green Card under the INA inside the United States.

These are all the significant benefits of Parole in Place Military.

1. Mitigates family separation

PIP addresses the critical problem of family separation. It permits eligible relatives of U.S. military personnel to remain in the country. It does so while they apply for a green card. It serves family unity. Family separation can impose a substantial emotional toll on our military members. Thus, this benefit is paramount.

2. Waives unlawful presence bars

Under typical cases, a person who has been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than 180 days but less than one year is restricted from reentry for three years. If they were in the country unlawfully for a year or more, they’re barred for ten years. PIP waives these bars. It allows eligible relatives to apply for green cards. All while not leaving the U.S. and facing such penalties.

3. Provides a path to permanent resident status

Military parole in place is a stepping stone to permanent resident status. Once granted, the application can apply for level adjustment to become a lawful permanent resident. It is a significant advantage often unattainable for others in a similar situation.

4. It avoids the risks of consular processing.

Applying for a green card using consular processing means the applicant must return to their home country. It is done to attend an interview at the U.S. consulate. It can be risky as it may not discover other grounds of inadmissibility. It can mean denying the green card application. Yet, with PIP, eligible family members can avoid this risk. They can apply from within the U.S. without leaving.

How Do You Apply for Military Parole in Place? PIP Application

1. Complete Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

The form initiates the process of applying for parole in place. It does not require a fee to be submitted.

2. Include two identical, color passport-style photographs of yourself.

These are used for identification purposes.

3. Evidence of a family relationship to a service member

This could be in the form of birth certificates or marriage certificates. It may also be other official documents that affirm your relationship to the military member.

4. Submit a cover letter.

The cover letter must include:

• biographical information about the veteran or service member,
• details about the nature of their military service,
• their relationship to you, the applicant,
• your immigration status, and
• hardships that the service member experiences due to the applicant’s legal status.

It generally entails why the program is vital to you and the service member.

5. Submit all documentation to your local USCIS office.