The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a new process to help keep families together during the immigration process. Starting August 19, certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens who have been in the U.S. for over 10 years may request parole to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.

To qualify, you must:

• Be in the U.S. without legal admission or parole.
• Have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years by June 17, 2024.
• Be legally married to a U.S. citizen by June 17, 2024.
• Have no disqualifying criminal history and meet other criteria for discretion.

Applications are not yet open, but you can prepare by gathering documents like proof of marriage, identity, and evidence of your U.S. residency. Be cautious of scams offering services prematurely; official details will be posted in a Federal Register notice.

For updates and official announcements, monitor the USCIS website and avoid unauthorized legal advice or service providers. This new initiative aims to support family unity in immigration processes while protecting against fraud.