County endorses federal initiative to protect immigrant military families

SDCN Editor

San Diego, CA–The County’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs is actively endorsing a federal immigration initiative designed to assist immigrant families connected to U.S. service members.

Under the Military Parole in Place (MPIP) program, select members of U.S. military families are granted temporary permission to reside in the country while pursuing permanent residency. This temporary immigration status permits spouses, widows, widowers, parents, and children of U.S. service members to stay, work, and travel freely within the United States. The Board of Supervisors has previously given its approval to promote the program, reinforcing the County’s commitment to supporting service members and their families.

“Families can be separated when a loved one serves in the U.S. armed forces. This program allows them to reunite in our country and acknowledges our military men and women for their honorable and selfless service,” said Rick Wanne, Director of County Self-Sufficiency Services,

Eligibility for the MPIP program extends to individuals whose family member in the armed forces is on active duty, belongs to the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or has previously served in active duty or the Selected Reserve without a dishonorable discharge. Eligibility is renewable every year.

Applicants for the MPIP program are required to submit specific documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office in their respective locations. These documents include completed Form I-131, and an application for a Travel Document (without fee). Applicants must handwrite “Military PIP” in Part 2 instead of checking a box. 

Evidence of the family relationship includes marriage certificate, documentation of termination of a previous marriage, son or daughter’s birth certificate, current or former service member’s birth certificate with parent’s name, or proof of enrollment in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, proof of family member is a current or former member of the U.S. armed forces, such as a photocopy of the front and back of the service member’s military identification card or DD Form 214. 

For parents of current and former service members of the U.S. armed forces, they will need proof of current or former service members, two identical color passport-style photographs, and any additional favorable discretionary factors that an applicant would like to have considered.

For more information on support in San Diego for military members and their families, click here. To apply for the MPIP program, click here.