Immigration news has been in no short supply this year, and undocumented immigrants have consequently been on alert, in a state of heightened anticipation against the possibility of deportation. And now, military families–previously protected by the Parole In Place (PIP) program–have reason to be concerned, too.
What is PIP?
Parole in Place is a program that protects from deportation undocumented family members of military personnel, so that soldiers can serve without worrying about what’s happening back home. The program also allows undocumented family members to apply for a green card from within the United States instead of having to go to another country to do it. Undocumented family members who receive PIP approval are considered to be permanent residents.
What is the problem?
The Trump administration has displayed some policy inconsistency regarding the program. While early immigration announcements from the White House made it seem that PIP would be scuttled, later statements implied that PIP would not be affected by any immigration overhaul. Still, the mixed messages have some immigrants rightfully concerned and reluctant to apply for the program for fear of being targeted for removal.
What to do now
At the very least it’s probably wise to be cautious about the PIP program for now. If you have questions or concerns about how the uncertainty around the PIP program might affect you, it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced immigration attorney who can answer your questions and help protect your rights.