Immigration for U.S. Military Personnel & Their Family Members

Serving Those Who Serve

At Thompson Law Advocates, we take great pride in standing beside U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their loved ones as they navigate the immigration system. Since the firm’s founding, we have helped numerous individuals take advantage of the special benefits granted to those who serve. 

Immigration options for U.S. military personnel and their family members are uniquely structured to honor the sacrifices made in service to the nation, yet navigating these pathways can be overwhelming without proper legal guidance. Programs such as Parole in Place (PIP), Deferred Action, and the Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act offer significant relief, but each comes with procedural complexities and eligibility requirements that must be carefully addressed. A service member’s deployment schedule, the immigration history of a spouse or parent, and potential criminal issues can all impact how and when benefits are granted—or denied. For example, while PIP can allow an undocumented spouse to remain in the U.S. and adjust status without leaving the country, it requires a well-documented application that clearly demonstrates the qualifying military relationship. Similarly, expedited naturalization through military service under INA §§ 328 or 329 demands proof of honorable service and physical presence during qualifying periods, all while meeting general requirements such as good moral character. At Thompson Law Advocates, we guide families through these intricate legal processes, ensuring no detail is missed and no opportunity is overlooked. Our commitment is not just to the law but to the people who serve and the loved ones who stand behind them.

Why Military‑Related Immigration Matters

Military service offers unique immigration benefits that can keep service members, veterans, and their families together. The Immigration and Nationality Act includes provisions such as:

1. Parole in Place (PIP) – Allows undocumented family members already in the U.S. of active-duty personnel, veterans, or reservists to stay without fear of deportation while applying for adjustment of status.
   
2. Deferred Action – Temporarily shields non‑citizen family members from deportation.
   
3. Immigrant Military Members & Veterans Initiative – Creates priority pathways for those who have served—and their immediate relatives.
   
4. Special Immigrant Status for Service – Under the Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act of 1991 (the “Six-and‑Six” program), non‑citizens with 12 years (or 6 followed by reenlistment) of active duty service may be eligible for lawful permanent residency

The Foundations: Military Immigration Statutes & Case Law

War Brides Act (1945)

Passed December 28, 1945, to reunite military members with foreign spouses and children, it eliminated quota limits for those family members. Its amendments and extensions clarified who benefitted. The U.S. Supreme Court later affirmed criminal penalties for fraudulent use of the law in Lutwak v. United States (1953).

Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act (1991)

This act enables foreign nationals serving honorably to secure special immigrant visas provided they serve 12 years, or 6 with reenlistment, and receive proper recommendation. Their spouses and children are also eligible.

How We Help: Services at Thompson Law Advocates, P.C.

1. Parole in Place & Deferred Action

We help non‑citizen family members of military personnel apply for PIP and deferred action, preventing them from facing removal while they work toward lawful status.

2. Special Immigrant Status (Six‑and‑Six Program)

We support active duty troops or veterans in collecting documentation of service, honorable discharge records, and required recommendations. We then assist in filing for special immigrant classification under INA § 101(a)(27)(K) and handle the associated adjustment of status.

3. Adjustment of Status & Green Cards

Whether through military service or family ties, we guide service members and family through Form I‑485 and related petitions—ensuring completeness and timely submission.

4. Family Petitions (I‑130)

Crafting solid petitions for spouses and children is essential. We handle petitions, waiver applications, and follow-ups necessary for family unity.

5. Naturalization Through Service

We lead the way through expedited naturalization under INA §§ 328 and 329. We also assist spouses and children overseas through consular processing and naturalization-at-basic-training programs.

6. Removal Defense & Criminal Consequences

Our dual expertise in immigration and criminal defense helps us defend non‑citizen service members and families. We identify and challenge potential removal grounds, file motions for bond, and present defenses under relief such as naturalization or cancellation of removal.

7. Advice to Criminal Counsel

We work with criminal defense attorneys to clarify immigration consequences of charges. Often a plea deal can be a deportation trap—even for seemingly minor offenses.

Real Impact in Courtroom & Immigration Offices

Peter Thompson brings more than 25 years of trial experience. His courtroom advocacy is distinguished in both federal immigration and criminal defense enabling seamless representation in deportation hearings or bond motions.

Our firm treats each client as a person, not a case number. We develop immigration strategies that accommodate deployments, transfers, and family priorities. We file petitions carefully to avoid delays, track every stage, and respond promptly to USCIS or Immigration Court requests.

Why Clients Choose Us

• Personalized immigration planning tailored to military life, considerate of deployments, family separations, and credential timing.
  
• Clear communication: we keep clients informed with realistic timelines and legal education—so you’re never guessing about your case.
  
• Dual‑competent team: we understand the interplay between criminal charges and immigration status vital in protecting your rights and future.
  
• Proven track record: a history of successful adjustments, naturalizations, removal cancellations, and denials of removal orders.
  

How to Begin

1. Consultation
   Contact us to review your current or pending immigration case. We discuss deployment timing, family circumstances, and potential criminal history.
   
2. Strategic Planning
   We propose a course—whether applying for PIP, special immigrant status, naturalization, or defending removal.
   
3. Documentation & Filing
   We assist with affidavits, service records, birth/death certificates, and required forms. We file petitions with precision and push for swift processing.
   
4. Monitoring & Advocacy
   We stay abreast of USCIS updates, respond to RFEs, and pursue certainty. If removal proceedings arise, we fight for bond release or cancellation.
   
5. Oath & Citizenship
   When eligible, we support you through the naturalization oath ceremony—whether in the U.S. or abroad.

Nationwide Reach, Military Focus

Although based in Philadelphia, Peter Thompson and his team serve clients coast to coast; from bases in Texas, California, Florida, to duty assignments abroad. We are adept at handling cases requiring coordination with U.S. embassies and varied consular procedures.

Contact Thompson Law Advocates, P.C.

Whether you’re a service member seeking to secure your spouse’s legal status, a veteran pursuing citizenship, or a child of immigrants aiming to call this country home, Thompson Law Advocates is here to assist. With careful attention to detail, legal precision, courtroom proficiency, and a service-oriented mindset, we strive for results that uphold your rights and future.

Our office welcomes service members, veterans, and their families. Contact us to explore how the law safeguards your family’s unity.