Immigration reform is stalled in Congress, and causing many immigration advocates to go on dramatic hunger strikes hoping to prove that they need reform right away. Yet the new Obama administration policy is helping some immigrants by providing relief to the family members of those serving in the U.S. military. According to Fox News, the Obama Administration is extending legal status to thousands of illegal immigrants who are the spouses, parents, and children of those in the military.
The policy applies to active-duty military as well as all reservists and veterans. Many say that this policy is long overdue. The veterans and those who serve in the National Guard will no longer be distracted by the fear that their family members will be deported. Under the laws, all direct family members of U.S. military personnel can apply for permanent residency and will be accepted.
Critics say that this new policy is like backdoor amnesty, and should not be permitted. The Centers for Immigration Studies says that the policy allows a whole class of aliens to be allowed to live and work in the U.S. simply based on their relationship with the military and veterans. Despite some opposition, many are thrilled at the prospect of permanent residency because their relatives have sacrificed to serve America.
The exemption is called Parole in Place, and comes in a USCIS policy memorandum. It was not submitted to or approved by Congress, and the regulations were not published in the Federal Register. Some politicians and anti-immigration activists are frustrated that the memorandum was never brought for public consideration.
The Obama Administration says that the new rules do not require any congressional action because they are based on existing statutes that simply needed to be brought to light. The Administration insists that the decision to authorize permanent residency for U.S. military member relatives was within the president's authority.
Military members are thrilled that their loved ones, including spouses, children, and parents, have the ability to remain in the U.S. without any fear of deportation. One Purple Hear Marine says that his wife was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child. Without her, he claims that he doesn't know where he would be, as he has suffered intense brain damage from attacks by IEDs in Afghanistan. He says that he is thrilled his wife, who has been such as support to him during his tours from Afghanistan, will be offered a green card and legal residency.
As the wife of a veteran, this woman and many like her will also be entitled to benefit from her husband's health care, education, survivor's benefits, and will receive a Social Security Number and a driver's license. If you are an immigrant in the U.S. that is currently dealing with issues regarding your immigration status, and you are related to an active U.S. military member, then you will want to talk with an immigration attorney about how this affects your case today.
With the right immigration attorney on your side, you may be able to use this new policy to obtain a green card and avoid deportation. This policy was just released this past week, so it is brand new and is still be implemented into court cases all throughout the United States. Don't hesitate to highlight this new policy in your immigration court case if you want to petition for a green card or avoid deportation. Use this directory to find a tenacious and helpful immigration attorney near you and get started on your case!