Keeping Families Together (KFT)
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2024 | DHS announces the process for certain spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. |
| Aug. 19, 2024 | USCIS begins accepting Form I-131F online. |
| Aug. 20, 2024 | Federal Register notice published (89 Fed. Reg. 67,459). |
| Nov. 7, 2024 | The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas enters final judgment in Texas v. DHS, No. 6:24-cv-00306, vacating the KFT process. |
| After Nov. 7, 2024 | USCIS stops accepting new I-131F requests, will not decide pending ones, and cancels related biometrics appointments. |
What this means
- No one can apply under KFT today.
- A pending I-131F will not be decided under that program.
- The judgment vacated only the KFT rule. The court reasoned that INA 212(d)(5) by itself does not authorize parole "in place," but it noted that other laws, citing the FY 2020 NDAA's military provision, may "specially deem" an entry. It did not rule on military parole in place, which USCIS still lists (page updated Sept. 22, 2026). Whether that reasoning will reach other parole in place requests is unresolved.
Earlier eligibility rules (10 years of presence and marriage by June 17, 2024) described the vacated program only. They are not a path available now.
Sources
- USCIS, “Keeping Families Together”, last updated 01/24/2025 (accessed Oct. 26, 2026).
- Federal Register (DHS), “Implementation of Keeping Families Together, 89 Fed. Reg. 67459 (Aug. 20, 2024)” (accessed Oct. 26, 2026).
- Office of the Texas Attorney General (court filing), “Final Judgment, Texas v. DHS, No. 6:24-cv-00306-JCB (E.D. Tex. Nov. 7, 2024)” (accessed Oct. 26, 2026).
- GovInfo (U.S. Courts opinions), “Memorandum of Decision, Texas v. DHS, No. 6:24-cv-00306-JCB, Doc. 120 (E.D. Tex. Nov. 7, 2024)” (accessed Oct. 26, 2026).
- USCIS, “Discretionary Options for Military Members, Enlistees and Their Families”, last updated 09/22/2026 (accessed Oct. 26, 2026).