The process for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens and their children to request parole in place, allowing them to stay with their families, will begin next month.
Starting August 19, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting applications for permanent residency from undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens. Approved applicants will receive a work permit, allowing them to legally work in the U.S. without having to leave the country to apply for permanent residency.
Immigration attorney Wan-seok Oh advised that the most crucial document is proof of a legal marriage to a U.S. citizen. “Preparing marriage certificates from Korea or the U.S. in advance will be helpful,” he said. “Applicants must also provide proof of ten years of residency in the U.S., such as utility bills, tax returns, bank statements, or medical records.”
He emphasized the importance of thorough preparation to expedite the application process.
USCIS will soon announce the application procedures, forms, and fees in the Federal Register. Eligibility requirements, as of June 17, 2024, include being the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen who entered the country illegally, having resided in the U.S. for at least ten years, being in a legally valid marriage, having no criminal record, and posing no threat to national security or public safety.
Required documents include a legally valid marriage certificate, identity documents (including expired ones), proof of the spouse’s U.S. citizenship (such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate), and evidence of continuous U.S. residency for at least ten years as of June 17, 2024. If the undocumented spouse has children, legal documents proving the relationship, such as adoption or birth certificates, must be submitted.
BY NICOLE CHANG, YOUNGNAM KIM [chang.nicole@koreadaily.com]
