CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO HELP REUNITE FAMILIES OF WARTIME HEROES

Statement

Today, Congressman Morelle highlighted the work his office has been doing to help reunite families of wartime heroes and ensure bureaucratic red tape does not cause infant children awaiting Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to be separated from their families.

"No family should be forced to make the devastating choice between their own safety or leaving behind a child," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "We must take every action possible to prevent family separations, especially for those brave men and women who have served with our Armed Forces. I'm proud of the work my office has done alongside incredible organizations like Keeping our Promise to help unite families and ensure no child is left behind."

"When made aware of SIV families being separated, Congressman Morelle's office jumped into immediate action," said Kim Staffieri, head of visa advocacy for Keeping Our Promise. "Their steadfast, exceptional attention to this unthinkable situation not only ensured that SIV families are reunited with their infant children, it has served to help ensure other SIV families never face this situation again."

Recurring processing delays at the State Department's Bureau of Consulate Affairs have caused unique difficulties for families of Iraq/Afghani translators and interpreters that serve with America's Armed Forces. In many cases, the adult and family members may receive their SIVs, however the visa for a minor child is delayed--causing families to make the heartbreaking choice between leaving behind their child and waiting, oftentimes in dangerous situations, in the hopes the child will receive the visa.

Rep. Morelle's office has worked diligently with Keeping Our Promise, the State Department, the National Visa Center, and regional Embassies to help expedite the process for obtaining child SIVs and prevent family separations. They have successfully helped reunite numerous families over the past year.

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