In recent immigration news, a federal court has canceled the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “Keeping Families Together” (KFT) family parole program. This program, introduced in 2024, aimed to help undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens by allowing them to stay in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency (a green card). Typically, individuals in this situation must leave the U.S. and apply for residency abroad, often facing long separation periods due to wait times and other visa processing requirements.
The Keeping Families Together program aimed to make it easier for families to stay together during the immigration process by offering “parole in place.” This would have allowed eligible family members to adjust their status without leaving the country, minimizing the hardship of separation. However, 16 states challenged the program, arguing that it overstepped DHS’s legal authority by bypassing established immigration procedures set by Congress. The court ruled in favor of these states, finding that the program’s approach did not align with current legal requirements, and ordered DHS to cancel the program.
This decision means that family members seeking to adjust their status must now follow the standard process, often requiring them to return to their home country to apply for a visa. While this ruling may be a setback for many families hoping for a faster path to residency, it’s an opportunity to ensure applications meet current legal guidelines.
At J. Molina Law Firm, we understand that these changes can feel overwhelming and may bring up many questions about the next steps for you and your family. Our team is here to guide you through this process and help you navigate available options to keep your family together while you pursue your immigration goals.
We are committed to making this journey as smooth as possible, whether that involves helping you prepare for visa applications, or answering your questions about how this update may affect you or your loved ones.
Thank you for trusting J. Molina Law Firm with your immigration journey. We’re committed to providing you with the latest updates and support.
