Greetings Jorge Rivera, immigration attorney.

We bring you a roundup of news from the last week, highlighting the most important developments in the immigration arena. We discussed the latest on family parole for spouses of U.S. citizens, how stepchildren and widows and widowers of citizens can qualify for this program, and what to do if you have had contact with immigration authorities. All that and much more.

How to resolve your immigration case?

The first question you should ask yourself in resolving your immigration case is whether you have had any contact with immigration at any time. There are four points of contact with immigration that are the most common:

1. Border contactIf you were apprehended at the border, this is a contact with the Border Patrol.
2. Detention within the countryIf you were detained inside the country, this is a contact with ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
3. Application to a programIf you have applied for something related to immigration, such as USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), this is another type of contact.
4. Immigration CourtIf you have been in immigration court, this also counts as an immigration contact.

Jorge Rivera, immigration attorneycan help you or your family member to start the first steps to solve your case.

Good news on family parole for spouses of U.S. citizens

Now, we have good news about the family parole for spouses of U.S. citizens. We can finally apply! This is excellent news after months of waiting. The form to be submitted is the I-131Fand has a cost of $580 to be submitted to immigration.

Stepchildren of U.S. citizens also have special rules to qualify for parole, which is legal entry and subsequent residency. A stepchild does not have to apply with his or her parent; just by being the stepchild of a U.S. citizen under the age of 21, unmarried, and married before the age of 18, he or she is eligible to apply independently of his or her parent.

What about widows and widowers?

Individuals who are widowed or widowers also qualify for parole for spouses of U.S. citizens. There are special exceptions for widows and widowers of U.S. citizens. It does not matter whether the U.S. citizen has died before or after June 17, 2024, which is the critical date. This means that the death of your spouse does not disqualify you from applying.

What happens if you have a final order of deportation?

If you have a final order of deportation, you can also apply for parole for spouses of U.S. citizens! This is very important, so pay close attention: even if you have a final order of deportation, you can still submit your application to immigration for legal entry parole for spouses of U.S. citizens. Of course, you will have to prove to immigration that you deserve this benefit.

Have you already had help from your immigration attorney?

If you or a loved one is in a similar situation, it is crucial to have adequate legal counsel to navigate these complex processes. If you have questions about your immigration case, the family requests or you need help to understand the steps to follow, do not hesitate to contact me.