Reuniting Families Act

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.