AAJC endorses reintroduction of Reuniting Families Act

Senators Hirono and Duckworth Introduce the Reuniting Families Act to Modernize U.S. Immigration System

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have introduced the Reuniting Families Act, a legislative proposal aimed at addressing inefficiencies in the U.S. immigration system, reducing family-based immigration backlogs, and updating policies to reflect the realities of modern family migration. A key component of the bill includes Senator Hirono’s Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, designed to expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans.

“As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I am proud to introduce the Reuniting Families Act to promote family unity and modernize our immigration system,” said Senator Hirono. “This bill addresses the backlog of family-based visas, exempts close relatives from visa caps, and protects LGBTQ+ families from separation. While comprehensive immigration reform is desperately needed, this legislation is a critical step toward keeping families together.”

Senator Duckworth echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of reform: “Our broken immigration system is riddled with barriers that create backlogs and keep families apart for years. This legislation introduces commonsense changes to help eliminate delays and reunite families.”

Key Provisions of the Reuniting Families Act

The proposed legislation includes several reforms to improve the family-based immigration system, including:

• Recapturing unused visas from previous years to increase the number of available visas.
• Exempting close relatives from visa caps, extending the exemption to spouses, unmarried children under 21, and certain parents of legal permanent residents.
• Raising per-country immigration caps, enabling more visas for countries with significant demand, such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines.
• Providing government discretion on certain immigration “bars”, eliminating requirements for individuals to leave the U.S. to resolve unlawful entry issues.
• Protecting children from “aging out” after turning 21, with additional safeguards for stepchildren and children of visa holders.
• Expanding cancellation of deportation orders in cases of extreme hardship to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
• Eliminating discrimination against LGBTQ+ families, ensuring equal treatment for same-sex couples and their families in immigration and asylum processes.

Broad Support from Advocacy Groups

The Reuniting Families Act has garnered strong endorsements from prominent advocacy organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice, FWD.us, and the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC).

“Millions of Asian Americans began their American story through the family-based immigration system, but decades of inaction have left it broken,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “This bill is a step toward creating a system that values family unity.”

Advocates highlighted the human impact of prolonged backlogs. “Many Southeast Asian Americans have waited decades to reunite with loved ones,” said Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center. “This legislation centers humanity and will help reconnect families separated for far too long.”

For LGBTQ+ families, the bill represents a significant step toward equity. “The Reuniting Families Act will ensure LGBTQ+ families are no longer excluded or treated unfairly in our immigration system,” said Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF).

Impact on Universities and the Economy

The legislation also addresses concerns raised by universities and businesses that depend on the contributions of immigrants. According to Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, “Outdated immigration policies and backlogs harm not just families, but also our nation’s social and economic growth. This bill introduces smart, effective solutions to reduce delays and modernize our system.”

Moving Forward

The Reuniting Families Act builds on companion legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“This bill is about keeping families together,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “It acknowledges the profound impact of family unity on our communities and economy.”

The legislation represents a critical step toward addressing the decades-long backlog in family-based immigration and ensuring that families—whether native-born, naturalized, or immigrant—can thrive together in the United States.

Source: AAAJ