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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Bill Would Speed Up Family Visas and Create "Permanent Partner" Immigration Category

Also known as: Reuniting Families Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(3)
Lgbtq
Helps
Immigrant
Helps
Visa Holder
Helps

Key Points

  • Would try to cut long waits for family visas by letting the government use past unused visas and by changing who counts as an “immediate relative.”
  • Spouses, permanent partners, and minor children of green card holders would be treated like immediate family, which can move them ahead in line.
  • Raises the per-country cap for green cards (from 7% to 20% for a single country), which could reduce extreme waits for families from certain countries.
  • Creates a “permanent partner” path (for couples who can’t marry) and extends many immigration benefits to permanent partners and their children.
  • Expands protections in deportation cases, including more chances to apply to stay, and limits removal while certain applications are pending.
ImmigrationCivil Rights

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 10, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Dec 10, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

About 60 days after the bill becomes law

Unused family and work immigrant visas from 1992–2025 start getting added back into the yearly totals

People in long visa lines could see faster movement because the system can issue visas that were previously “left on the table.”

After the bill becomes law (no specific date in text)

Spouses/partners and minor children of green card holders begin being treated like “immediate relatives”

These families may stop waiting for a limited yearly quota and instead move forward once their case is approved and processed.

After the bill becomes law, once agencies update forms and guidance

New rules recognizing “permanent partners” begin being used in visa and green card decisions

Some couples who cannot marry would have a new path to live together lawfully, but they will likely need to provide proof their relationship meets the bill’s definition.

After the bill becomes law, once agencies issue work-permit instructions

Work authorization becomes available for spouses and children over 16 of E/H/L/O visa holders

More families can rely on a second income and reduce the risk of dependent family members being forced to stay out of the workforce.

Months after the bill becomes law (rulemaking required)

Department of Homeland Security creates an application process for “affirmative” cancellation of removal

Some people may be able to apply for this protection without waiting for a judge, but only after the government publishes the rules and required forms.

After the bill becomes law (implementation likely via guidance)

Protection from removal while certain petitions/applications are pending starts being applied

People with pending eligible cases may be less likely to be deported before they get a decision, reducing sudden family separations.

From enactment through 2 years after enactment

2-year window opens for certain widows/widowers and other surviving relatives to file or reopen cases tied to a sponsor’s death

Families who previously lost their chance because a sponsor died could get another shot, but they must act before the deadline.

Up to 2 years after enactment

2-year window opens to file motions to reopen some fiancé(e) child cases that were denied under prior rules

Some families could correct old denials, but only if they file within the deadline.

After the bill becomes law (rulemaking timeline not specified)

State Department issues rules to prioritize refugee family reunification and allow pursuing refugee and visa options at the same time

Refugee families may get clearer and fairer processing, with fewer situations where applying one way blocks another.

After the new refugee rules and staffing adjustments take effect

Goal of finishing most refugee application decisions within about 1 year becomes operational

Refugees could have more predictable wait times, with longer delays mainly tied to security checks.

Related News

1 article
Washington Blade·almost 15 years ago

UAFA-inclusive family immigration bill introduced

The Reuniting Families Act includes provisions allowing gay Americans to sponsor their foreign partners for residency. By adding a 'permanent partner' category, the bill aims to end discrimination in the immigration system and classify these partners as immediate relatives exempt from caps.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Reuniting Families Act

Bill NumberHR 6565
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(40)
D: 40

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.