It has been a confusing year for families trying to fix their immigration status, especially if they are trying to use Parole In Place. If you are the spouse of a U.S. Citizen who entered the US without a visa and have been following the news, you might feel perplexed. First, there was the hope of the “Keeping Families Together” program. Then came the headlines in late 2024 that a federal judge in Texas had blocked it. Now, as we close out 2025, many of our clients in New Jersey are asking the same urgent question: “Is Parole in Place dead, or can I still apply?”
The answer is YES, you can still apply—but only if you fit a specific profile.
It is critical to understand the difference between the program that was cancelled and the original law that remains fully active. Confusing the two could cost you time, money, and potentially flag you for enforcement.
Here is the reality check for December 2025.
Table of Contents
The “General” Spousal Program is Closed
Let’s be clear about the “Keeping Families Together” initiative (the one that tried to let all undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens apply for a Green Card without leaving the country).
Since the court order in November 2024, USCIS has stopped accepting Form I-131F.
- If you applied last year and your case is stuck in limbo, it is likely administratively closed or frozen.
- If you do not have a military connection, do not file for Parole in Place right now. It will almost certainly be rejected.
However, this does not mean you are out of options. For non-military families, the I-601A Provisional Waiver remains the standard path. It is harder and takes longer, but it is a valid, legal road to a Green Card that we successfully navigate for clients every week.
The Good News: Military Parole in Place is Alive and Well
The judge’s ruling did not touch the original Military Parole in Place (PIP) policy, which has been protecting military families since 2013.
If you have a close family member who is serving (or has served) in the U.S. Armed Forces, the “pause” you see in the news does not apply to you. You still have a case to adjust your status here in New Jersey without triggering the 3- or 10-year bar.
Who Qualifies As Of Late 2025?
You are likely eligible for this benefit if you are an “immediate relative” of:
- An Active Duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces;
- A member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve; or
- A Veteran (living or deceased) who served honorably.
“Immediate Relative” covers:
- Spouses (and widows/widowers)
- Parents
- Unmarried children under 21
Note: This often includes step-parents. We have helped many undocumented step-fathers and step-mothers get their Green Cards simply because their U.S. Citizen step-child enlisted in the military.
Why You Should Apply ASAP
While Military PIP is currently safe, the legal landscape is volatile. Immigration policies based on agency memos—rather than Congressional laws—are always at risk of being modified by a new administration or a different court ruling.
The Bottom Line
If you are reading the headlines and thinking “it’s too late,” you might be wrong.
- If you have a military relative: The door is open. Walk through it now before the rules change again.
- If you do not: Do not waste money on a “Parole in Place” application that will fail. Let us build a strategy for you instead.
Do not guess with your future. If you have a spouse, child, or parent who served in the military, contact Harlan York & Associates immediately at 973-642-1111. We will review your service records and confirm if you are eligible to apply today.
