Administrative Stay of Keeping Families Together

On Aug. 26, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, issued an administrative stay, preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from granting parole in place under Keeping Families Together for 14 days.  

To comply with the district court’s administrative stay, USCIS will, until further notice:  

• Not grant any pending parole in place requests under Keeping Families Together.  

• Continue to accept filings of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.  

• Continue to schedule biometric appointments and capture biometrics at Application Support Centers (ASCs).  

The district court’s administrative stay order does not affect any applications that were approved before the administrative stay order was issued at 6:46 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 26, 2024. Individuals granted parole in place under this process before the administrative stay order was issued may still file for any other immigration benefit for which they may be eligible, including employment authorization and adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident.  

Please note: You can only apply for employment authorization after your Form I-131F is approved. If you file your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, before USCIS approves your Form I-131F request under this process, USCIS will reject or deny your Form I-765. 

Biometric Appointments 
USCIS continues to schedule biometric appointments consistent with the administrative stay order issued by the district court on Aug. 26, 2024. All individuals with biometric appointments should plan to appear at their appointment at the scheduled date, time, and ASC indicated on their notice. Individuals should not arrive on a different date, unless they have rescheduled their appointments. Individuals who were turned away at an ASC will have their appointment rescheduled by USCIS.   

As a reminder, individuals must print their biometric appointment notice and bring it with them to their appointment. In addition, if individuals are unable to attend the appointment, they can reschedule using the online rescheduling request process, as long as rescheduling takes place before the initial appointment expires. For more information, see the Preparing for Your Biometric Services Appointment page.