What was Keeping Families Together, and What Happened to It?

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What was Keeping Families Together?

Keeping Families Together (“KFT”) was a new immigration program created by the Biden administration in June 2024. Its principal aim was to provide a pathway to legal status for the noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens. In order to qualify for KFT, the noncitizen spouse was required to:

  1. Be present in the United States without admission or parole (AKA without legal immigration status);
  2. Have been continuously physically present in the United States since at least June 17, 2014;
  3. Be legally married to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024;
  4. Have no disqualifying criminal history and not be a threat to public safety, national security, or border security; and
  5. Submit biometrics and undergo required background checks and national security and public safety vetting.

If a noncitizen spouse met all these requirements, then KFT allowed them to apply for Parole in Place (“PIP”) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). PIP would have allowed the noncitizen to be granted parole without having to leave the United States. Parole is akin to a legal entry into the United States, so with a grant of parole, the noncitizen spouse could then use that parole to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a green card), through their U.S. citizen spouse—all without having to leave the United States. Without KFT, mixed status married couples must complete a more complex, years long immigration process that requires the noncitizen spouse to leave the United States with no guarantee of being allowed to return. KFT would have made this process much simpler, faster, and less risky for the couple.

What happened to KFT?

Unfortunately, very soon after KFT was announced, the state of Texas challenged its legality in federal court. While this litigation was ongoing, KFT was put on pause. During this pause, eligible noncitizens were allowed to apply for PIP, but USCIS was not allowed to grant any applications. In November 2024, a federal court officially ended this pause and ordered the KFT program to be canceled entirely.

What if I already applied for KFT?

If you applied for PIP through KFT while the program was on pause, your application unfortunately will not be granted, and you will not be refunded the $580 filing fee. There is no possibility of your application being granted now that the program is canceled.

What if I think I might be eligible for KFT, but I haven’t applied yet?

Since KFT was canceled and no longer exists, USCIS is no longer accepting any applications for PIP through KFT.

Are there any other immigration options for mixed status married couples?

Yes! KFT was not the end of the road for noncitizens who do not have lawful immigration status but are married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. While every case is different, there can often be multiple ways a noncitizen can obtain legal immigration status through their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse. Schedule a consultation with Murray Osorio to learn what your options are.

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