Lexington immigration attorney explains ‘Keeping Families Together’ policy and immigration struggles

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Applications were made available for the Keep Families Together Act earlier this week.
The program from the Biden Administration aims to help expedite the process for families seeking residency or citizenship as they wait for their green card.

“This isn’t a direct shot to citizenship. It’s a pathway to permanency,” says Lexington immigration attorney Heather Hadi of the policy.

Hadi explains, the ‘Keeping Families Together’ program aims to help individuals and families going through the process of getting a green card.

“People who qualify for PIP, it’s not that they couldn’t get a green card, there was no avenue, it was just the avenue that they were, you know, working towards the process was so long” added Hadi.

Parole In Place,  or “PIP” is an application that is already in effect, but in this case, those going through the process would not have to travel back to their home country.

“We have a lot of Hispanic clients and a lot of individuals from Mexico. So they would have to go to Ciudad Juarez and it’s a, it’s a dangerous place and it’s scary because a lot of the spouses they can’t leave to go with their, their significant other,” added Hadi.

The biggest concern for many is if they would’ve been allowed back into the United States.
While Hadi says PIP will help to ease those concerns.

“We do have that concern that in November, if you haven’t gotten your application in by then, this, this might not be an opportunity that you, that will be available past November,” she said on the application.

Hadi recommends applying as soon as possible.

“There is a filing fee that’s associated with, this process, not only that the filing fee is $580 with USCIS. It is an online only application,” said Hadi.

For Hadi this process is also personal, as she is currently helping her husband.

“It’s really not that time consuming of an application if you have everything in front of you. So we shared a tear, we shared a drink and we’re very, very excited to get this going. I want to take my husband all over the world,” said an excited Hadi.

And if you or someone you know may qualify to apply, “make sure that you meet the qualifications and then start getting your documents together because this does, you know, have a residency requirement where you needed to have been residing in the United States for 10 years and married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17th, 2024. So you’re gonna have to get proof of those aspects,” added Hadi.

For those interested in applying, click here.