Family members of U.S. military personnel received some relief last week with a recent announcement from the Department of Homeland Security.
The federal agency announced in a memo released Nov. 15 that it will stop deporting the relatives of servicemembers because it places "stress and anxiety" on both active-duty troops and veterans, according to USA Today.
"We as a nation have made a commitment to our veterans, to support and care for them," DHS said in the memo. "It is a commitment that begins at enlistment, and continues as they become veterans."
According to the memo, relatives of servicemembers will not be deported if they have a clean criminal record, but will be labeled "parole in place," making them eligible to apply for permanent legal status while remaining in the U.S. instead of returning to their home countries. Currently, undocumented immigrants are able to apply for a Green Card only if they return to their native country.
While many are celebrating the new directive from Homeland Security, not every relative of a military member is exempt. According to the news source, those with criminal backgrounds still face deportation.