What Does Family Reunification Mean?

When you first hear the term “family reunification” you think of a happy family being together. While that is a nice image, there is a lot more that reunification entails. This is especially true in relation to immigration, where reunification can be a long, trying journey. So, in the context of refugees and migrants, what does reunification mean?

What Is Reunification?

Reunification is the official process used by governments and other agencies to reunite immigrants with their family members who already live in a particular country. Normally, reunification is primarily focused on helping migrant children reunite with family members, but it can apply to all migrants and refugees depending on the country involved.

The Family Reunification Process in the United States

In the United States, there is a family reunification program that is part of the Department of Homeland Security. While similar to the refugee resettlement process, the U.S. government’s family reunification process has some key differences. Here are some of the main things to know about the reunification process:

• Individuals who entered the United States as a refugee within the past 2 years or were granted asylum status within the past 2 years can apply for derivative refugee or asylum status for their child. There are other processes for family members of U.S. citizens and Green Card Holders (also known as Lawful Permanent Residents). Once the individual has been resettled to the U.S., resettlement agencies will provide support during the reunification process.
• Only immediate family members can petition for reunification under this program. This refers to the parent, spouse, or child of the individual requesting reunification. Children are defined as individuals who are under the age of 21 and unmarried.
• Refugees admitted to the U.S. can petition for their spouse or child to become an accompanying or following-to-join derivative refugee asylee by submitting Form I-730, proof of their status as a refugee or asylee, a recent and clear photograph of their child, and a copy of the child’s birth certificate that shows the parent’s name and the name of the child.
• If the petition is approved, the individual who is the beneficiary of the petition will undergo identity, background, and security checks, as well as an interview process in order to be granted derivative refugee or asylee status.

Most recently, we’ve seen how challenging family reunification can be with the influx of migrants arriving at the southern U.S. border in 2021. President Biden even created the President’s Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families specifically in response to the current situation.

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including migrant children. Together with our partner agencies, we work on reunification efforts to connect migrant children with their families and advocate for governmental policies that better protect the rights of migrant children around the world. 

Our Child Safeguarding Policy emphasizes our commitment to the children we serve, promoting their best interests and rights in accordance with international standards. We are also trying to eliminate underlying issues like poverty by protecting labor rights and improving working conditions for vulnerable communities. Find out how you can make a difference and help us protect migrant children today!

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.