The Reuniting Families Act, introduced recently in the House of Representatives and the Congress, would make a number of favorable changes to the immigration laws, though it is not the amnesty many had been hoping for.

Among other things, the bill would allow the spouses and children of permanent residents to immigrate immediately, in stead of waiting years as they now do. It would also increase the number of immigrants allowed to enter each year.

It provides important expansions of waivers available for certain types of previous immigration violations. For example, it would partially repeal the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals in Matter of Briones, which found that persons who unlawfully re-entered the United States after having been here for period of one year or more were barred from gaining permanent residency under Section 245(i) of the Act.

It eliminates the “widow penalty,” allowing the widows of U.S. citizens to becomes permanent residents even after the death of their spouse. It also provides age-out protections for children who immigrate with K visas, expands the definition of “step-child” by not requiring that the individual’s parents have married while he or she was a minor

It also allows gay partners to be recognizes as married couples for the purpose of immigration.

At a time when the focus is on enforcement and what is “wrong” with immigration, it is refreshing to see a compassionate and humanitarian bill that celebrates the place of immigrants within the community of this nation.

For more information, see the website of Rep. Mike Honda:

http://honda.house.gov/rfa/