Is there a limit to the amount of months foreign relatives can stay in the US?

Question

My parents are thinking about accompanying me to the US just so I get settled in the US. My parent's are foreigners while I am a US citizen, so eventually they would have to leave the US so they won't overstay. The laws have changed quite a bit, so I really am not sure how long they can stay in the U.S.

My questions are:

1. Exactly how long can my parent's stay in the U.S?

2. Can my parent's leave, and then come back to the U.S? If so, how long do they need to stay outside of the U.S. if they wish to re-enter?

3. Is it illegal to repeatedly stay in and depart from the U.S.?

Answer 1

3. No. A multiple entry visa is designed just for this situation.

2. Yes, and generally there is no limit in how long they must stay outside.

1. That will depend on the immigration officer at the airport, but usually they will give a visa for the maximum six months

Answer 2

The exact length of your parents stay will be determined by the CBP Officer at the port of entry.

What you are proposing is dangerous.  Attempting to enter and leave the United States so as to extend the length of stay will not work.  The CBP Officer at the port of entry will immediately see that your parents are trying to game the system.... to live in the United States on a tourist visa.  They will be detained, a file will be opened on them, and they will be processed for removal.  Then, coming back for any length of time will be extremely hard.

Generally, if they are allowed 6 months in the United States with their visa they must leave and not come back for at least 6 months.