by Stephen D. Hans | Jun 24, 2024 | Work Permits Available to Undocumented Aliens
Administration Announces Expansion of Parole in Place Program Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced that the country’s “parole in place” program, which has focused primarily on military spouses and children over the past couple decades, will be expanded to potentially provide protection to as many as 500,000 foreign nationals in the United States. The parole in place program derives its authority from the 1952 Immigration and Naturalization Act, which initially granted parole authority to the United States Attorney General. That authority now rests with the Department of Homeland Security. Who Qualifies for Protection under the New Policy? To be eligible for the protections afforded by the amended policy, a foreign national must: Be legally married to a U.S. citizen Have resided in the United States for a minimum of 10 years, as of June 17, 2024 What Benefits Will a Qualified Applicant Receive under the Policy? Perhaps most importantly, anyone covered by the amended policy will be eligible for work authorization. Eligible persons must file an application for lawful permanent residency status within three years of a grant of parole. Furthermore, parolees will receive an I-94 travel record, a prerequisite for filing an adjustment of status to obtain a family (marriage)-based green card. It is also expected that parole in place applications will be processed more quickly than other applications for lawful permanent residency. What Does the Program Mean for Employers? Employers will potentially have access to a larger employee pool, as skilled or qualified workers who previously could not obtain work authorization will be able to do so. Let Stephen Hans & Associates Handle Your Employment Law...