Immigration Options for Family of Certain Military Members and Veterans - PIP and Deferred Action - Eligibility and Request Process

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

The brochure explains immigration discretionary options available to certain family members of active-duty service members, Selected Reserve members, and qualifying veterans. It outlines Parole in Place (PIP) as a lawful status only for specific immigration benefits, clarifying limits related to unlawful presence outside the parole period. It also describes Deferred Action (DA) as a discretionary removal postponement, including eligibility categories and the potential to qualify for work authorization. The guidance covers how to request PIP or DA using USCIS forms and required supporting evidence, along with key term definitions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

What is Parole in Place?

Why you would need it

Eligibility for parole in place

How to request parole in place

What is Deferred Action?

Why you would need it

Eligibility for deferred action

How to request deferred action

Key terms and option matrix

What is Parole in Place? Parole in place allows a foreign national who came into the United States without authorization by an immigration officer to stay for a certain period of time. Parole in place is granted on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Parole is considered a lawful immigration status for purposes of certain immigration benefits, such as a Green Card. Parole, however, does not excuse any periods of unlawful presence outside of the parole period. Why would I need parole in place? If you are in the United States without authorization by an immigration officer, you may be ineligible for several immigration benefits. If your request for parole in place is approved, you: • Do not accrue unlawful presence during the period specified; • May apply for a work permit for the specified period (see Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization); and • May be able to apply for an immigration benefit that requires alawful entry, including a Green Card, if you are eligible. Note that parole by itself does not lead to any immigration status or other immigration benefit. Am I eligible for parole in place? You may be eligible for parole in place in one-year increments if you are the spouse, widow(er), parent, son, or daughter of: • An active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces; • An individual in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve; or • A military veteran (whether living or deceased, as long as he or she was not dishonorably discharged) who served in active duty or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve. Immigration Options for Family of Certain Military Members and Veterans How do I request parole in place? • You will need to complete Form I-131, Application forTravel Document, and submit it (without fee) to your local USCIS office. • You will also need to provide copies of documents that show you are eligible for parole in place (do not submit originals) . This includes evidence of the family relationship, and proof that your relative is or was an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces or in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve. • For complete details on how to request parole in place, please [visit](visit www.uscis.gov/military/discretionary-options)[ www.uscis.gov/military/discretionary-options](visit www.uscis.gov/military/discretionary-options). KEY TERMS: DA – Deferred Action DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DEP – Department of Defense Delayed Entry Program LPR – Lawful Permanent Resident MAVNI – Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest PIP – Parole in Place TPS – Temporary Protected Status D3—Immigration Option for Family of Certain Military 1 Members and Veterans M-1138 (rev. 11/16) PED.SGP.1116 What is Deferred Action? Deferred action is a discretionary decision to postpone someone’s removal from the United States for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status, and it does not excuse any periods of unlawful presence outside of the deferred action period. Why would I need deferred action? If you are subject to removal and are not eligible for parole in place or a lawful status, deferred action would allow you to stay in the United States for a certain period of time. If your request for deferred action is approved, you: • Are considered to be lawfully present in the United States for the period specified; and • May apply for a work permit for the specified period if there is financial need (see Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) . Am I eligible for deferred action? You may be eligible for deferred action in two-year increments if: • You are the spouse, widow(er), parent, son, or daughter of: - An active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces; - An individual in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve; or - A military veteran (whether living or deceased, as long ashe or she was not dishonorably discharged) who

FAQs

What is Parole in Place and what does it allow a beneficiary to do?

Parole in Place allows a foreign national without authorization to remain in the U.S. for a specified period on a case-by-case basis. It is considered lawful for certain immigration benefits, and may allow applying for a work permit during the specified period.

Who may be eligible for Parole in Place?

Eligibility can be based on being a spouse, widow(er), parent, son, or daughter of an active-duty service member, an individual in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or a qualifying military veteran. Eligibility is offered in one-year increments.

How does Deferred Action differ from Parole in Place?

Deferred action is a discretionary decision to postpone removal and does not itself provide lawful status. Unlike parole, deferred action also does not excuse unlawful presence outside the deferred action period, though it may support a work-permit application when approved.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve