Family Reunification Law in the U.S.: Who Can Apply and How?

The Family Reunification Law is a crucial part of U.S. immigration policy that allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to bring certain family members to live in the United States legally. This policy recognizes the importance of keeping families together and provides a structured process to do so.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility depends on your status in the U.S. and your relationship to the family member you wish to sponsor:

U.S. Citizens can sponsor:

• Spouses

• Children (minor and adult, married or unmarried)

• Parents (if the citizen is over 21)

• Siblings (if the citizen is over 21)

Green Card Holders can sponsor:

• Spouses

• Unmarried children (minor or adult)

Important: Green card holders cannot sponsor parents or married children. For that, they must become U.S. citizens first.

How to Apply:

1. File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS.

2. Provide supporting documents proving your relationship.

3. Wait for visa availability (immediate relatives have no cap, but others may face waiting periods).

4. Once approved, the family member can apply for a visa or adjust their status.

Special Cases:

• Humanitarian parole or Deferred Action may be available in urgent cases.

• Certain programs like Family Reunification Parole (FRP) for Cubans and Haitians exist for specific nationalities.

• Refugees and asylees can apply to reunite with spouses and children under special rules.

Common Barriers:

• Incomplete documentation

• Inadmissibility issues (criminal history, immigration violations)

• Long processing times (especially for siblings and adult children)