Military Parole in Place Attorney

Helping Military Families Stay Together

If you serve in the U.S. armed forces — or once did — and a family member entered the country without inspection, Military Parole in Place resolves the entry barrier, granting a temporary lawful presence that opens a direct path to apply for a green card from within the United States.

Our office is led by a Marine Corps veteran who is also a first-generation immigrant — someone who understands both the service and the immigration journey firsthand.

Why Choose Serrano Immigration

Led by a Marine Corps Veteran Who Knows the Immigration Journey

You are carrying two worlds at once: service to this country and a family member’s uncertain status. Federico B. Serrano has lived both sides.

Marine Corps Veteran
Federico B. Serrano served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps before practicing immigration law.
A First-Generation Immigrant
He came to the United States from Bolivia and built his life here — the same path
your family is walking.
20+ Years in Immigration Law
Two decades handling family-based cases and discretionary relief like parole in place.
Bilingual, Online, Nationwide
Full service in English and Spanish, handled securely online wherever you are stationed.

Attorney | Federico B. Serrano

What You Need to Know

What Is Military Parole in Place?

Military parole in place is a discretionary benefit that lets certain family members of U.S. service members and veterans remain in the United States, even if they entered without inspection. It is granted under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in one-year increments and can be renewed.

USCIS created this benefit because a service member worried about a family member’s deportation cannot focus fully on the mission. The service itself is treated as a reason to grant relief. A request is filed on Form I-131, and because it is decided case by case and never guaranteed, the documentation behind it is what makes the difference.

Why Parole in Place Matters

A family member who entered without inspection usually cannot apply for a green card from inside the United States — file the application directly and USCIS will reject it. Leaving the country to apply instead can trigger bars that keep them out for years. Parole in place is the way out of that issue. With it, an eligible family member can:

Who May Qualify?

Qualifying Military Connection

You may qualify if you are the spouse, widow(er), parent, unmarried son or daughter (under 21) of:

Applicant Requirements

How We Help

Personalized Representation, Not High Volume Processing.

Confirm You Are Eligible

We thoroughly analyze the key factors that determine your eligibility: your relationship to the service member, and that the family member entered without inspection rather than overstaying a visa.

Prepare the Request

We assemble Form I-131, proof of military service, and relationship evidence into one complete filing, with a cover letter that ties the service member’s record to your family’s situation.

Build the Discretionary Case

We show why your family merits a favorable decision — the service member’s military service counts in your favor, alongside family hardship and your ties here.

Secure Online Process

Handle your case securely online, wherever you are stationed or posted.

Respond to RFEs

If USCIS requests more evidence, we respond to the request fully and before the deadline, which is where rushed filings fall apart.

Plan the Path to the Green Card

From the I-94 that proves your parole to the work permit and the green card application, we map every step that comes after approval.

Our Citizenship Services

Military Immigration Support Tailored to Your Family

From parole in place to the green card that can follow, we help military families move forward with experienced legal guidance built around their situation.

Military Parole in Place

Parole requests for qualifying family members of service members and veterans.

Adjustment of Status

Green card applications for eligible family members already in the United States.

Family-Based Petitions

Form I-130 petitions that establish the qualifying family relationship.

Work Authorization

Employment authorization while a parole or green card case is pending.

Parole Renewals

Renewing parole in place in one-year increments as your case proceeds.

Immigration Waivers

Options when a family member faces inadmissibility issues.

Client Testimonials

Trusted by Military Families and Veterans

I recommend him. My husband and I are very happy with his service; everything turned out better than we expected. Thank you so much.

Client – Landover, MD

It was a real pleasure to have his services. He was a great help to me—a wonderful person: kind, responsible, and he knows what he’s doing.

Client – Sterling, VA

I’ve known Federico Serrano for 18 years, and he’s been my family attorney through different times and situations. To put it in one sentence: he’s an amazing person, and I strongly recommend him for any type of immigration services.

Client – Alexandra, Miami FL

FAQs About Citizenship & Naturalization

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Who qualifies for military parole in place?

Military parole in place is available to the spouse, widow(er), parent, unmarried son or daughter (under 21) of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces, a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or a veteran who was not dishonorably discharged. The qualifying family member must also be present in the United States without admission — meaning they entered without inspection. Meeting these conditions makes you eligible to apply; it does not guarantee approval.

How do I apply for military parole in place?

You request parole in place by filing Form I-131 with USCIS, along with proof of the service member’s military status — such as a DD Form 214, current military orders, or a military ID — and evidence of your family relationship. A strong filing also includes a cover letter to the field office director explaining the service, the relationship, and the hardship the family would face, since this is a discretionary decision.

Can parole in place lead to a green card?

It can open the door for a future application. A grant of parole in place establishes a lawful entry on record, which means an eligible family member may then apply for adjustment of status and pursue a green card without leaving the United States. Whether the green card is approved depends on the full application and the applicant’s eligibility, so this step should be planned carefully from the start.

My family member entered the United States without inspection. Does that matter?

That is exactly the situation parole in place is built for. It is available to qualifying family members who are present in the country without having been admitted. It is not available to people who entered lawfully and then overstayed a visa, because they were already admitted and are not applicants for admission — a distinction that trips up many filings.

Is military parole in place the same as the "Keeping Families Together" program?

No. Military parole in place is a separate, long-standing program for the families of service members and veterans, and it remains available. “Keeping Families Together” was a different program announced in 2024 for certain civilian spouses of U.S. citizens, and it has been the subject of court proceedings. Your eligibility as a military family does not depend on that program.

How long does parole in place last, and can it be renewed?

Parole in place is generally granted for one year and can be renewed by filing again before the current period ends. Renewing keeps the family member’s protected status in place while the green card case moves forward. Note that parole in place does not authorize international travel — leaving the country without a separate travel document can result in its revocation.

What happens if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE)?

An RFE means USCIS needs more information before making a final decision on your case. It does not represent a denial, but it carries a firm deadline. We assemble and submit a comprehensive response on time to keep your case moving forward toward approval.

Is parole in place guaranteed if we meet the requirements?

No. Parole in place is discretionary under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, meaning USCIS evaluates each case on its own merits. Meeting the requirements means you may apply, not that approval is assured. Navigating current administrative guidelines with a thoroughly documented petition is essential to giving your case the strongest possible foundation.

Our Purpose

Keep Your Military Family Together

A Military Parole in Place case affects the people closest to you and the future you are building together. Our goal is to make the process clearer and better organized, so you can stay focused on your service and your family can move forward.