THE MAGIC OF PIP

           For its beneficiaries, PIP is like MAGIC. It turns an illegal alien – or an undocumented alien – into a legal alien. But only for a limited time: for THREE (3) YEARS only.

           The benefits of having PIP are many. The main ones are: a permit to stay and work in the U.S. while being protected from deportation, similar to DACA, and the eligibility for ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS, applying for Permanent Residence (Green Card) at the Immigration Service INSIDE the U.S., without having to leave for an interview at an American Consulate in your home country.

PIP ELIGIBILITY

           The FOUR major requirements are:

A.  That you have been – physically present – in the U.S. for at least ten (10) years, counting back from June 17, 2024 (6/17/2024). You need proof that you entered the U.S. before June 17, 2014 (two thousand fourteen) and stayed in the U.S. since your entry, and…

B.  That you are married to an American citizen – man or woman – on or before June 17, 2024. You could be required to provide proof that the MARRIAGE is for REAL, and is LEGALLY VALID – but it does not matter how long you have been married, and...

 C.  That when you entered the U.S. more than ten (10) years ago (before 6/17/2014), your ENTRY was completely illegal. In the language of the Immigration law, you entered without ADMISSION or PAROLE. In plain words: you sneaked into the U.S. without any kind of papers, not even FAKE or FORGED papers. And…

D.  You are required to add a short statement WHY: Why do you think that you should be granted these fantastic benefits. This unusual feature of the PIP

Program is that it is DISCRETIONARY, meaning: The Immigration Service is not LEGALLY REQUIRED to grant it to anybody, even if they meet all the requirements.

_____The PIP program also provides benefits to STEPCHILDREN of U.S. citizens (minor, unmarried children of the undocumented spouse), to persons in DEPORTATION, to WIDOWS/WIDOWERS of U.S. citizens, etc.

PIP APPLICATION

_____To apply for PIP, the Immigration Service issued a new form (Form I-131F), but will accept only ELECTRONIC filing (no paper application). The FILING FEE for each applicant is $580 (no FAMILY packages). The Application for Permanent Resident can be filed only AFTER approval of the PIP application (and will require a separate filing fee).

TIMING

_____The Immigration Service has no realistic idea how many such new applications to expect, and there is no DEADLINE to file Form I-131F.

_____But even without a DEADLINE, people who are eligible for PIP should not DELAY filing their application. The PIP program is not a law passed by Congress. This is only a PROGRAM started by the Immigration Service. It could be cancelled, or blocked by a FEDERAL JUDGE at any time, or by a new Administration after January 2025 (especially if Mr. Trump is re-elected to be President of the U.S. a second time).

_____Actually, a Federal Judge in Texas blocked the immigration service from processing and issuing grants on PIP applications – but not on receiving new PIP applications. USCIS continues to receive PIP applications.

_____Therefore, if you are eligible for PIP, apply for it. Get your application into the system. DO IT.