The Legacy of Military Parole in Place: Staff Sergeant Alex Jimenez, US Army
Alex Jimenez was born in New York City to a large and close-knit immigrant family from the Dominican Republic. Since childhood, Alex was a natural leader who encouraged his siblings to follow their dreams. He was also passionate about his new country, the United States of America. Many of his family members worked at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. After the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, Alex enlisted in the United States Army to fulfill his dream of serving the U.S.
In 2007, Staff Sergeant Jimenez deployed with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On May 12, 2007, his small unit was attacked and overrun by insurgents. Six soldiers were killed and Staff Sergeant Alex Jimenez and Pfc. Byron Founty were taken prisoner; the body of a seventh soldier was later found floating in the Euphrates River. In 2008, the remains of Staff Sergeant Jimenez and Pfc. Founty were recovered.
During the period that Staff Sergeant Jimenez was missing, his undocumented wife Yaderlin Hiraldo was put into removal proceedings. Prior to his deployment, Sgt Jimenez had submitted a petition for his Yaderlin to adjust her status and obtain a “green card.” However, due to her illegal entry, she did not qualify. This heartbreaking situation gained national attention and eventually the Department of Homeland Security put a “hold” on her removal and granted her “discretionary parole.” As a result, Yaderlin was soon eligible to adjust her status to permanent resident despite the earlier unlawful entry into the U.S.
In recognition of Staff Sgt Jimenez’s ultimate sacrifice to his country, USCIS issued a memorandum in November 2013 announcing a new policy known as Parole in Place that allowed immediate relatives of current or past U.S. citizen members of the U.S. military who entered the U.S. without documents to be granted temporary legalized status possibly leading to permanent residency. To support these individuals, USCIS provides discretionary options such as parole in place or deferred action on a case-by-case basis. Notwithstanding the earlier policy pronouncements, USCIS has continued to process and approve requests for “Mil-PIP” and deferred action without interruption. Through its actions, the government has thus cemented parole in place as a humanitarian or significant public benefit mandating favorable immigration solutions for undocumented immediate relatives of military members (past or present) and their families.
At American Liberty Law Group, we proudly refer to Parole in Place as “Military Parole in Place” and “Military PIP” as we strive to help the family members of U.S. service members achieve favorable immigration solutions that significantly benefit military readiness and national security.
This website is respectfully dedicated to the living memory of Staff Sergeant Jimenez and his fallen comrades, heroes who must never be forgotten.
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