Nationwide — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced expanded protections for some immigrants living in the United States. DHS announced an expansion to the long-standing parole in place relief to include the spouses of U.S. citizens and their non-citizen children. Parole in place allows a pathway to lawful permanent resident status for non-citizens who meet certain qualifications, including marriage to a U.S. Citizen spouse, 10 years of continuous physical presence, and do not present a security risk to the United States. Nationally, approximately 500,000 non-citizen spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 children of those spouses could be impacted by this announcement. 

Additionally, DHS will clarify the policy and process for qualified Dreamers and other immigrants to access work visas. 

“This is a hard-fought win for our immigrant communities,” said Martha Arevalo,  CARECEN-LA’s Executive Director. “Today’s historic executive actions by the Biden Administration will protect thousands of immigrants, including Dreamers, in attaining protection from deportation, and for some, a pathway to permanent residency. While this is a lifeline for many families at risk for deportation, we continue to call on the administration to build on this progress and deliver on his promises to the immigrant community. He must deliver on the long awaited TPS designations and exhaust all avenues to provide additional pathways to permanent residency for all.”

 “Today’s announcement is not an amnesty and we must wait for more details before applying for these protections," said Camila Alvarez, CARECEN-LA’s Legal Director. “We have witnessed fraudulent agencies and actors attempt to take advantage in moments like this, we’ve witnessed this with the many cases against Notario/Notary fraud and it's critical to work with trusted and reputable agencies. We must wait for the publication of a Federal Register Notice before applications will be accepted for the new process announced today.” 

CARECEN urges the community to be cautious of bad actors who give false information and prey on the immigrant community, and to stay informed. CARECEN will be hosting a virtual information session in partnership with Los Angeles City and County on Monday 24, 2024 at 5:30pm PST (further details can be found in the flyer below). 

CARECEN will continue to fight for all members of our community who are still waiting for President Biden to deliver on his promises to protect and defend all immigrants, including, but not limited to, TPS holders, Dreamers, and Refugees.