New Green Card Option for Undocumented Spouse or Stepchild of U.S. Citizen

The Biden administration has issued a regulation exercising its discretion to use "parole in place" to create a path to the green card within the U.S. for certain foreign nationals: (a) who illegally entered the U.S. only once before June 18, 2014, and married a U.S. citizen before June 18, 2024; or (b) who illegally entered the U.S. before June 18, 2024, while under age 21 and became a stepchild of a U.S. citizen before June 18, 2024, while under age 18. Applicants may apply only online with a $580 fee to USCIS starting August 19, 2024. Once approved for "parole in place," most such applicants will be eligible to apply for permanent residence (and interim employment authorization) based on the immigrant petition of the U.S. citizen.