Reuniting Families Act

Recapture of Lost Visas: The bill allows for the recapture of unused visa numbers from previous years (specifically from 1992 through 2025) for both family-sponsored and employment-based immigrants, which could help reduce backlogs (Section 101).

Expanded Definition of Immediate Relatives: By reclassifying spouses, permanent partners, and minor children of lawful permanent residents as immediate relatives, the bill can accelerate the immigration process for these families (Section 102).

Protection for Fiancees and Children: The bill provides age determination protections for fiancee children to ensure their status is protected based on when the initial petition was filed (Section 107).

Relief for Widowed or Orphaned Individuals: It provides specific relief and allows for the processing of immigrant visas even if a qualifying relative dies during the process (Section 105).

Work Authorization Expansion: The bill authorizes work permits for certain nonimmigrant spouses and children of holders of specific visa categories, such as H, L, and O visas (Section 110).

Increased Diversity Access: The bill increases the number of diversity visas available from 55,000 to 80,000 (Section 301).

Improved Refugee Reunification: It prioritizes refugee families seeking reunification and allows for "Priority 3" processing for various nationalities to help families stay together (Sections 401 and 402).

Criminal Penalties for Misrepresentation: The bill establishes criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment and fines, for individuals who enter into marriages or permanent partnerships for the purpose of evading immigration laws (Section 218).

Mandatory Departure for Unmarried Fiancees: If an alien admitted as a fiancee does not marry the petitioner within three months of admission, they and their children are required to depart the United States (Section 107).

Removal of Certain Aliens: The bill maintains that aliens who have been ordered removed remain inadmissible for specific periods, such as 5 or 20 years depending on the circumstances (Section 104).