USCIS Publishes Filing Guide for Keeping Families Together

On Aug. 19, USCIS will begin accepting requests for, using a new electronic form, Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens. Form I-131F will not be available on uscis.gov until Aug. 19. USCIS is not accepting any other form for Keeping Families Together. Do not file a request for parole in place under this process before Aug. 19, 2024.

We are publishing a Filing Guide for Form I-131F (PDF, 8.95 MB) on the Keeping Families Together webpage. This guide will help individuals as they prepare to file a request for parole in place through the online process. We have also updated the Key Questions and Answers about the process on the Keeping Families Together webpage. More information about Keeping Families Together will be made available in a Federal Register notice in the coming days.

Form I-131F will only be available to file online. Each requestor, including minors, must file a separate Form I-131F, and each requestor must have their own USCIS online account, including minors. Information on creating a USCIS online account is available on the How to Create a USCIS Online Account webpage. There is no paper form for this process.

Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams

We do not want you to become the victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney admitted to practice law in the United States or accredited representative working for a Department of Justice-recognized organization can give you legal advice on immigration matters. Be aware of individuals who guarantee outcomes; applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by USCIS. Visit the Avoid Scams webpage for information and resources.

Some common scams to be aware of include:

• Government impersonators:  Look out for individuals who pretend to be USCIS officials. USCIS will only contact you through official government channels and will not contact you through your personal social media accounts (such as Facebook, X, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Scam Websites: Some websites claim to be affiliated with USCIS and offer step-by-step guidance on completing a USCIS application or petition. Make sure your information is from uscis.gov or dhs.gov or is affiliated with uscis.gov. Make sure the website address ends with .gov.
• Payments by Phone or Email: We will never ask you to transfer money to an individual. We do not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, or gift cards as payment for immigration fees. In addition, we will never ask you to pay fees to a person on the phone or by email.
• Notarios Públicos and unauthorized practitioners of immigration law: In the United States, a notario público is not authorized to provide you with any legal services related to immigration benefits. Only an attorney admitted to practice law in the United States or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice-recognized organization can give you legal advice on immigration matters. For more information about finding legal services, visit our website.