Engel Co-Sponsors Reuniting Families Act

Press Release

Congressman Eliot Engel has signed on as an original co-sponsor of legislation to help eliminate the long visa-backlogs existing in the immigration system that keep families apart. The Reuniting Families Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), will help eliminate the backlogs allowing families now separated to be reunited.

"Every day, people legally immigrate here in search of a better life and to pursue the American Dream, many of them forced to leave their families behind in order to do so. I find it to be tragic to see children separated from their parents and spouses kept apart. To have visa applications for the spouses and children of these lawful permanent residents held up, due to a massive backlog of cases, is completely unacceptable and must be changed," said Rep. Engel.

The current family-based immigration system has not been updated since the 1980s and has resulted in families kept apart for many years. There are currently 5.8 million people in the family immigration backlog who have been waiting long periods of time to reunite with loved ones. This legislation takes steps to fix the system by reducing the waiting times.

The legislation ensures that visas are not only allocated efficiently, but also cutting down the lengthy wait times by streamlining the process and providing legal channels for families to reunite. The bill also eliminates discrimination in immigration law against same-sex, permanent partners and their families who are seeking to reunite.

In addition, the legislation:

Raises the per-country immigration limits from seven to 10 percent of total admissions to decrease decades-long backlogs
Protects widows, widowers and orphans by allowing them to continue their eligibility for a visa after the death of the sponsoring relative.
Offers protection to children of fiancées of U.S. citizens from "aging out" of the process. And provides equal treatment for stepchildren and biological children.

"The time is long overdue to bring these families together and allow all of them to become Americans. Our families are our support systems and the basis for our society's structure. Strong families enable people to work without worrying about relatives, provide for ailing loved ones, and strengthen our business community by solidifying the many family-run businesses. It is time to end the nightmare these hard-working individuals have faced by ending their wait to reunite with their loved ones again," added Rep. Engel. "I remain hopeful this legislation will receive prompt consideration by the relevant committees, and eventually to adoption by the full House."

Source