Parole In Place For Military Families
Parole in place (PIP) is a unique program for certain undocumented family members of U.S. military personnel (active or veterans). It allows those non-citizen family members who are in the U.S. unlawfully to apply for a green card, without having to leave the country. This is a significant immigration benefit that’s not available to family members of civilians.


The Problem Addressed by Parole in Place
Under current immigration law, people who entered the United States without inspection (unlawfully) generally cannot apply for permanent residence (green card) from inside the U.S., a process known as adjustment of status. In these cases, the undocumented family member cannot obtain a green card unless he or she returns to the home country for consular processing.
However, in many cases, that person will trigger a three- to or a ten-year bar as a penalty for the previous unlawful presence. That policy has been criticized because it forces the family to split up and generally makes immigration extraordinarily difficult after an unlawful presence. For members of the U.S. armed forces, these scenarios can create stress and anxiety that adversely affects military preparedness.
But, PIP allows their noncitizen family members a path to a green card that isn’t available to others.
Who Is Eligible for a Military Parole in Place?
A military PIP is eligible only for a group of individuals who can prove their eligibility. To be able to obtain Parole in Place, you have to be a spouse, parents, or an unmarried child under 21 of the following:
- An active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces,
- Selected Reserves member,
- An individual who has previously served in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or the U.S. Armed Forces and was honorably discharged.
In the last case, if military service members are deceased, their family members will still be eligible for military PIP.
If you are eligible and Parole in Place is granted, you have to move forward and apply to adjust your legal immigration status — that is, apply for Lawful Permanent Residence. You will be rejected if you apply directly for status adjustment without PIP.
PIP Denials
Bear in mind that if an individual has a criminal conviction on their record, they will not be eligible. Negative immigration law history will also be taken into account. If there is anything negative in your personal history that can make immigration officials consider removing you from the U.S., make sure you hire an experienced immigration lawyer.
Although the PIP policy was instituted during the Obama Administration, it was heavily undermined by the Trump Administration’s executive orders. Although the PIP remained available, the denial rates had increased. However, in 2020, Congress ordered that applications have to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Also, disruption to the military family unity should be minimized, and other individual circumstances may be considered.
Applying for Military Parole in Place
Certain documents have to be prepared and submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for military Parole in Place. These documents include the following:
Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document)
Evidence of the family relationship with the military members, such as a birth or marriage certificate)
A photocopy of the military identification card
Other evidence, such as commendations your military service member relative has received, awards, or even letters from community leaders showing your involvement in volunteer activities, may be submitted. After the USCIS has reviewed the application, they may schedule a short interview at the local USCIS office.
There is no fee for a military Parole in Place application. However, if it’s approved, the applicant becomes eligible to obtain other documents that have their own fees.
Frequently Ask Questions
A grant of parole in place will only provide evidence that you have been paroled so that you adjust status without returning to your home country. It does not fix other immigration problems you may have. For example, if you ever ignored a deportation or removal order or have been arrested, PIP will not fix these issues. Consult an experienced immigration attorney.
No, parole in place can only be used for the U.S. citizen’s spouse, parents or unmarried minor children (under 21). PIP will not, in most cases, provide adjustment eligibility to non-citizens in the preference categories.
Parole in place is not guaranteed. It is a discretionary policy, and USCIS will review each individual’s situation on a case-by-case basis.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) suggests that applicants check off box 1d (“I am applying for an Advance Parole Document to allow me to return to the United States after temporary foreign travel”) under “Part 2, Application Type,” and write “Parole in Place” in red ink next to the description. Then, under Part 4, Information About Your Proposed Travel, Question 1a, Purpose of Trip, the applicant would write “Parole in Place (PIP)” again on this line. To answer Part 4, Question 1b, List the countries you intend to visit, the applicant should write “N/A.