Trump is Planning on Rolling Back Protections for Active Duty Troops and Their Immigrant Family Members – The Time to File for Parole in Place (PIP) is NOW!

According to the Military Times, the Trump administration is currently circulating memos that will end a handful of immigration policies in place to help members of the U.S. military who have family members in the U.S. without legal status. Although the White House, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense have all declined to comment, attorneys with direct access to the agencies have confirmed the planned changes directly with agency personnel, who indicated that the changes could become effected as early as at the end of July 2019.

The planned changes allegedly include eliminating the following two programs:

• Parole in Place (PIP), which allows family members of military personnel to reside and work in the U.S. in renewable increments of one (1) year, protects them from deportation, and permits them to apply for permanent residence in the U.S. despite entering the U.S. unlawfully;
• Deferred Action, which also protects from deportation and allows family members to reside and work in the U.S. in renewable increments of two (2) years.

The new policy also allegedly include formalizing changes to the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MANVI) program, which allows certain non-citizens to serve in the military and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship, as well as the rules that allow military members who are already lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to expedite their naturalization process. The changes could result in increased deportations for members of our military and their family members.

What Should You Do Now?

1. 1. If you are a parent, spouse, or child of an active or former member of the U.S. military or reserves who entered the U.S. without inspection, we encourage you to seek immigration assistance immediately to determine if you should file for PIP by the end of July 2019, before the program may be eliminated;
2. 2. If you want to show support for our troops and their family members, we encourage you to take action by contacting a member of Congress.

If you or someone you know may benefit from an application for Parole in Place (PIP), please contact an immigration attorney at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C.