USCIS has just published a new rule which “allows certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are physically present in the United States and are seeking permanent residence to apply for and receive provisional unlawful presence waivers before departing the U.S. for consular processing of their immigrant visa applications abroad. This new process will significantly reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives while those family members go through the immigrant visa process to become permanent residents. Please note that this new process is not yet in effect and USCIS will not accept any applications until March 4, 2013.”
This rule will allow spouses and parents of U.S. Citizens who are presently in the U.S. illegally to apply for a waiver before leaving the U.S. to be interviewed by the U.S. Consulate. A telephone conference is scheduled with USCIS today at 3pm to discuss the rule in more detail.