Immigration law blog

What is Military Parole in Place?

Under current U.S. immigration law, spouses, children, and parents of those serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, who previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces, or Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, may apply for parole in place. Although it is most frequently used to permit an alien who is outside the United States to come into U.S. territory, parole may also be granted to aliens who are already physically present in the U.S. without inspection or admission. This means that if undocumented spouses, children, or parents of a qualifying military member entered the U.S. without inspection or failed to arrive at a designated port of entry, then they may receive “parole.” 

Congress has recognized that veterans, who have served and sacrificed for our nation, can face stress and anxiety because of the immigration status of their family members in the United States. Therefore, the qualifying military family member should establish that they face stress and anxiety because of the undocumented status of their spouse, child, or parent. Parole in place is a discretionary and determined on a case by case basis.

One of the major benefits of military parole in place is that once it is approved and the applicant has is the beneficiary of an approved family petition (I-130), the applicant may then apply to adjust their status, without the need to leave the U.S. to consular process at the U.S. embassy in their native country. This means that the applicant will avoid the time and expense involved in filing for a provisional waiver of unlawful presence and actually traveling to their home country.



L.I.H. Law is a trusted immigration law firm with our office conveniently located in Seattle, near the Seattle Space Needle (2nd Ave and Denny Way).

Our well-respected lawyers exclusively practice immigration law, covering diverse topics: asylum, deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA), detention cases, fiancé visas (K-1 visas), green cards, immigration status for victims of domestic violence or other crimes, naturalization applications, and much more.

The immigration attorneys and professional staff at L.I.H. Law are dedicated to providing the right solutions to meet our clients’ immigration needs.  Our entire staff is fluent in Spanish and has served clientele from around the world.

Supporting our local immigration community is important to us. Our immigration lawyers and staff are active in volunteering for various community events and organizations, and conducting pro-bono work.

Lesley Irizarry-Hougan

Lesley has been practicing law since July, 2005. She has significant experience in representing clients in Immigration Court, both detained and non-detained cases; appeals from immigration judge decisions, both at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Lesley is actively involved in her community, regularly volunteering at the Latina/o Bar Association Legal Clinic and the King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinic. Lesley Irizarry-Hougan ha estado practicando exclusivamente leyes de inmigración desde Julio del 2005. Ella tiene experiencia significante representando clientes en la Corte de Inmigración; apelando las decisiones del juez de inmigración, ambos a la Corte de Apelaciones de Estados Unidos para el Noveno Circuito y la Corte de Distrito de Estados Unidos para el Oeste de Washington. Lesley también se especializa en aplicaciones afirmativas, incluyendo aplicaciones para la tarjeta verde (Mica), asilo, NACARA, y aplicaciones de ciudadanía archivado en los Estados Unidos y Servicios de Inmigración. Lesley también hace certificaciones de trabajo, incluyendo aplicaciones de cocineros especializados. Ella habla español nativo.

L.I.H. Law, P.S., Immigration Lawyer, Seattle, WA