US Immigration Policy: Family Reunification,
Patricia Hatch

The immigration Act of 1965 eliminated the national origin quota system that had favored immigrants from Europe to the exclusion of those from elsewhere. Replaced by a “family preference” quota framework that systematized the sponsorship of relatives by legal immigrants. Since 1965 between 50% and 70% of US immigrant visas distributed annually have gone to family members.

Family immigration currently accounts for the majority of immigrant petitions filed and visas granted each year. Thus the fairness of the family immigration process has a major implication for the success or failure of the entire US immigration policy.

Two categories of relatives. Some subject to a quota system; others are not. Latter category includes spouses, minor children and parents of US citizens. Other relatives fall under the quota system. Former group can come within a year or so; latter group may have to wait years.

The Independent Task Force on Immigration and America’s Future reports that the long delays in the above system contribute to the volume of illegal immigration. The lack of a reasonably timely family reunification option with the legal system is contributing to the breakdown of the integrity of the US immigration system.

Half of the new workers entering the US workforce are immigrants thus a healthy immigration system is important to support this large portion of the work force.

Reforms urged to help families unit quickly and remain within the legal system. Note that the system that processes applications, etc. needs to be vastly expanded. Improvements to both the regulations and the system are necessary.