SALAZAR CO-LEADS THE AMERICAN FAMILIES UNITED ACT
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) reintroduced H.R. 2366, the American Families United Act. This bipartisan legislation helps millions of U.S. citizens reunite with their loved ones.
The American Families United Act provides American citizens the opportunity to keep their families together if they are part of a mixed-status family. Specifically, it allows immigration judges and officers to exercise discretion when handling cases involving spouses and children of U.S. citizens. At its core, this bill emphasizes that preserving the sanctity of the family should be a national priority.
“The American Families United Act benefits U.S. citizens, promotes family unity, and prioritizes keeping families together,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation that reinforces America’s commitment to the rule of law and respects the dignity of families.”
“There are hundreds of thousands of American families today who have been forced to live apart or relocate to another country because of draconian provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act that prevent undocumented spouses of Americans from getting any legal protections whatsoever,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Americans recognize that it is in our country’s best interests to restore legal pathways for immigrants and keep families together, and the bipartisan American Families United Act is a critical step in the right direction. I look to working with my colleagues to advance this crucial legislation.”
Over 2.6 million Americans live in mixed-status families. U.S. citizens are generally allowed under our immigration laws to sponsor their spouses or children for permanent residence. However, many mixed-status families are unable to complete this process because of outdated eligibility requirements or actions outside of their control. This can cause hardship for an American family and put them at risk of family separation.
The American Families United Act addresses this issue by allowing American citizens to reopen a petition for their family member to adjust to legal status. It provides discretionary authority for immigration judges or officers adjudicating immigration applications to waive, on a case-by-case basis, certain immigration penalties or eligibility requirements that might expose the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen to removal. In these cases, the judge is authorized to consider whether their removal or denial would cause hardship to their American spouse, child, or parent. Critically, this does not apply to anyone with a criminal record or who could be considered a national security threat.
American citizens deserve the full rights provided to them under U.S. law. However, our outdated immigration laws can cause hardship and confusion for many Americans and unfairly penalize spouses of American citizens who have no criminal record. This bill provides a fair and consistent process for U.S. citizens whose spouses face this uncertainty and ensures our immigration policy is in the best interest of American families.
Congresswoman Salazar and Escobar previously introduced this bill in the 118th Congress and also included it as part of their major immigration reform bill – the Dignity Act.