Proposed New Regulation Works to Keep Immigrant Families Together

HIAS Pennsylvania is pleased with the new proposed policy announced on Friday, January 6, 2011 that will keep immigrant families together. Currently, many family members who are sponsored for permanent residency by their immediate relatives must leave the United States and many must wait 10 years or longer in the home country until their case is decided. Under the Obama administration's proposed policy, a person who is sponsored by a parent. adult child or spouse can remain in the U.S. while the government decides whether or not they can proceed with the sponsorship process. Immigrants affected must still return home to finish the process, but are likely to be able to re-enter more quickly and easily, compared to the current policy. We are waiting to see the specific regulations. This is a common sense approach that will strengthen families and prevent their disintegration from years of being forced to live apart. This reform is in the proposal stage and immigrants should be aware that it is NOT in effect at the current time.

For more information about the proposed policy, please visit this New York Times editorial.