Benefits for Military Families in 2023

There are many benefits for immigrant family members of certain military and veterans in the United States, including Military Parole in Place. Parole in Place (PIP) is a document for undocumented family members of U.S. military members to be able to stay in the country and avoid deportation from the U.S.

Military Parole in Place will grant three things for these U.S military family members: (1) the opportunity to apply for employment authorization through the I-765 form; (2) the possibility to apply for immigration benefits that require legal entry; (3) and their presence will not be illegal in the country, for the allotted time.

USCIS Retrogress to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test

Back in 2020, USCIS created a revised naturalization civics test implemented by Trump's administration which made it more difficult for many learners of the English language to pass. Although the test took effect in December 2020, it was more complex than the 2008 version, with applicants required to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly instead of just 6 out of 10. This test added a barrier to immigrants who hoped to become citizens of the United States.

New Policy for F-1 Student Visas

The United States offers two nonimmigrant visa categories for those who wish to study in the U.S. and they are commonly known as the M and F visa. The F-1 Visa allows you to enter as a full-time student and temporarily reside in the United States to study at a college, seminary, school, or conservatory.

U.S. Will Allow For 100,000 Latin Americans to Reunite with Families

Joe Biden's administration has agreed to extend additional legal options for Latin American migrants to come to the United States to reconcile with their families. Once admitted, it is estimated that about 100,000 Latin Americans will be given the opportunity to reunite with their family members in the U.S.

This new family reunification parole program is for immigrants from El Salvador, Colombia Honduras and Guatemala, who are U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents and who have gotten I-130 approval to bring over immediate family members.

The Dignity Act

On May 23, 2023, two congresswomen proposed a new bipartisan immigration bill that would provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants, but only after specific border security measures are met. The Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) introduced an updated version of “The Dignity Act” that would focus on breaking the legislative statement in congress and takes into consideration the contribution of immigrants, including Dreamers if they meet certain conditions.