Reuniting Families Act

Recapturing Unused Visas: The bill allows for the recapture of unused immigrant visa numbers from previous fiscal years to help reduce backlogs (Section 101).

Expanded Definition of Immediate Relatives: Spouses, permanent partners, and minor children of lawful permanent residents would be reclassified as immediate relatives (Section 102).

Increased Diversity Visas: The number of diversity visas would increase from 55,000 to 80,000 (Section 301).

Protection for Fiancee Children: The bill updates age determination rules to protect the status of minor children of those admitted via fiancee or spouse/partner visas (Section 107).

Relief for Widowed Relatives: It provides specific relief for orphans, widows, and widowers, including allowing visa applications to be adjudicated as if the qualifying relative had not died (Section 105).

Expanded Cancellation of Removal: The bill expands the ability to cancel removal and allows for affirmative applications for those demonstrating extreme hardship to a family member (Section 112).

Expanded Definitions for Permanent Partners: The bill recognizes "permanent partners" in various immigration categories, including refugee and asylum statuses (Section 201, Section 206, Section 207).

Prioritized Refugee Reunification: It instructs the Secretary of State to prioritize refugees seeking to reunite with family members living in the United States (Section 401).

Priority 3 Processing: The bill makes Priority 3 processing available to individuals of all nationalities to help reunite immediate refugee families (Section 402).

Criminal Penalties for Misrepresentation: Individuals who knowingly enter into a marriage or permanent partnership solely to evade immigration laws could face up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 (Section 218).

Deportation Requirements for Certain Fiancees: If an alien admitted as a fiancee does not marry the petitioner within 3 months of admission, they and their children may be required to depart the United States (Section 107).

Strict Requirements for Permanent Partnerships: To qualify as a permanent partner, individuals must be financially interdependent, unless a case-by-case exception is made (Section 201).

Potential Rejection of Family Relationships: The Secretary of State maintains the authority to reject "Affidavits of Relationship" for relationships that do not comport with public policy, such as plural marriages (Section 402).