Overview of the Biden Administration's Parole in Place Policy

This article explains a no-longer-in-effect program for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. On June 18, 2024, the Biden administration announced that it would be implementing new legal protections for undocumented spouses of United States citizens. The new Parole in Place (PIP) policy would have provided temporary legal status and a potential path to U.S. citizenship for those who qualified. However, a federal court struck it down in November 2024.

Disclaimer

On November 7, 2024, a federal court in Texas ruled that the Biden administration lacked the authority to implement the Parole in Place program. Applications are no longer being accepted. Talk to an immigration lawyer if you have questions about programs like this.'

Caution!

U.S. immigration laws, policies, and practices continue to change rapidly in 2026. Before making any decisions, consult an immigration attorney. One way to find an attorney is through the American Immigration Lawyers Association Find an Immigration Lawyer.

What is Parole in Place?

Parole in Place (PIP) lets an undocumented person who entered the U.S. without authorization to stay here temporarily.

The Keeping Families Together program would have granted temporary legal status to undocumented family members of U.S. citizen.

If an undocumented person were granted PIP, they would get temporary protection from deportation, and would be authorized to work. They would also get temporary legal status that could lead to permanent residency. PIP would also provide a path to citizenship. The main benefit of PIP would have been the ability to apply for legal status without leaving the country. 

How could people have qualified for Parole in Place? =

To be eligible for the Biden administration’s PIP program, individuals must have met the following criteria.

They must:

1. Have been legally married to a U.S. citizen. 
2. Have lived in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024.
3. Not have disqualifying criminal convictions. 
4. Not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
5. Pass a background check. 
6. Be present in the U.S. without admission or parole. 

How can I apply for Parole in Place?

Applications are no longer being accepted under the Keeping Families Together program.

Sources

• Where Do We Go from Here? An Update on Keeping Families Together Parole in Place Process, Immigration Legal Resource Center, archived by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, January 31, 2026

• Keeping Families Together, USCIS, archived by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, September 27, 2026

• Overview of the Biden Administration’s Parole in Place Policy, TexasLawHelp.org, archived by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, September 29, 2026