H.R. 2709 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity.
Detailed Summary
Reuniting Families Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007.
Establishes the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007.
Revises the definition of "immediate relative" to: (1) mean a child, spouse, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (and for each family member of a citizen or resident, such individual's accompanying spouse or child), except that in the case of parents such citizens shall be at least 21 years old; (2) permit a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen or resident to seek permanent resident status if married at least two years at the time of the citizen's or resident's death or, if married less than two years, by showing through a preponderance of the evidence that the marriage was entered into in good faith and not solely to obtain an immigration benefit; and (3) include an alien who was the child or parent of a U.S. citizen or resident at the time of the citizen's or resident's death if the alien files a petition within two years after such date or prior to reaching 21 years old.
Increases immigration visas for: (1) unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and (2) brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
Provides a 60,000 visa allocation for the unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens.
Increases annual per country (10% of annual total) and dependent area (5% of annual total) limits for employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas.
Expands specified family-unity exceptions to unlawful presence-based inadmissibility.
Provides specified relief for orphans and spouses regarding: (1) petitions for immediate relative status; (2) parole eligibility; (3) permanent resident status adjustment; and (4) processing of immigrant visas.
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act - Exempts children of naturalized Filipino World War II veterans from worldwide or numerical immigrant limitations. Makes a minor child of an alien fiancee/fiance or of an alien spouse of a U.S. citizen eligible for derivative K-visa status provided that the child's age is determined using such child's age at the date that the petition to classify such child's parent as a K-visa alien is filed with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Authorizes the Secretary or the Attorney General to adjust the status of a finacee/fiance or alien spouse and any minor children (K-visa) to conditional permanent resident status if such alien marries the petitioner within three months after U.S. admission.
Redefines "child" for purposes of titles I and II of the Act to include a stepchild under 21 years old. (Current law includes a stepchild who has not reached 18 years old at the time the marriage creating the status of stepchild occurred.)
Uniting American Families Act of 2009 - Amends INA to include a "permanent partner" within the scope of such Act.
Defines "permanent partner" as an individual 18 or older who: (1) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment; (2) is financially interdependent with the other individual; (3) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, anyone other than the individual; (4) is unable to contract with the other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and (5) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of the other individual.
Defines "permanent partnership" as the relationship existing between two permanent partners.
Defines "alien permanent partner" as the individual in a permanent partnership who is being sponsored for a visa.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 8/19/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
wondermom
July 13, 2009, 10:33pm (report abuse)Life is so short. Help us live our life with the most important persons.. our husband/wife, son, daughter.
Irina Rollinson
July 14, 2009, 4:29pm (report abuse)The Reuniting Families Act 2009 should pass and be signed into law URGENTLY. The suffering of Legal Immigrants separated from their children for years and years is inhumane and is shameful for America!
Don't wait for a very difficult Comprehensive Immigration Reform. This is a separate issue and should be resolved without delay!
c j
July 21, 2009, 11:18pm (report abuse)please help us u dont know life is how hard without yr loved once please please we are begging for this please help us
Deepak
August 1, 2009, 5:22am (report abuse)This bill is essential since families should not be separated for long. As it is there are relationship pressures, please do not compound them by keeping families apart.
mdhun
August 8, 2009, 5:52am (report abuse)everyone should raise their vooices in support of this bill...we do everything to play legal in the states and we are payed back by waiting for our children and wife/husband for a long long time...i bet the senators would know our grief had they ever suffered like we do right now...open ur eyes and ears politicians...support us like we've supported u by paying taxes, working in ur companies and so on...just help us like we help this country
bc
August 26, 2009, 12:06am (report abuse)i support this bill. i know how it feels like because i am in the same situation.senators and congressmen should approved this bill urgently. we are the people who followed the rules, pay taxes but due to broken immigration policies our family are separated. I hope they will consider this bill as asap.I dont know why you have to wait for years just to be with your children and spouse. It is heartbreaking and frustrating. I hope, this long wait will come to an to an end.
aJUDE
September 15, 2009, 10:33pm (report abuse)we have a special child who is separated with her mother for more than 3 years already. our child is now suffering from withdrawal syndrome because of this long process of visa approval for dependents. PLEASE PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON US! Please let this bill be approved urgently.
John W.
October 8, 2009, 12:18am (report abuse)I have my wife and lovely 2 year old daughter separated with me for two years already. I think of them every day, and I wish to unite with them so much! Please help us!
Ismail
October 12, 2009, 3:16pm (report abuse)All i want to say today, is this,when u go to your bed tonight,before u sleep,just think of this U have a spouse (that u love her/him the most) and lovely three childern and some one tell U from now on u will not see your spouse and children (THE LOVED ONES)for next five years....how would u feel????? how would u explain your pain to some one??????? JUST THINK:
enzo
October 16, 2009, 1:01pm (report abuse)yes yes yes bravo bravo pass this bill now pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Time for change
October 19, 2009, 4:30pm (report abuse)I hear some people complain about jobs and immigration. One question. When the families are separated who takes up the slack for lack of income? The taxpayers! If the families are kept as a whole then both parents can work to support the family and not government programs. The separation is hard in many ways. With all the violence we see today it's important children have both parents to guide them. The children and parents deserve the right to be together. I hope this bill is approved soon. I strongly SUPPORT this bill. This is America where we learn freedom. That tells me we are free to love whom we want. Unfortunately love is not a planned thing it is something that happens. No individual should be punished for loving someone. When individuals with no criminal record are separated more than one person is punished. We need to get this bill approved into law so our families can be whole.