CAPAC Members Commend USCIS on Proposed Changes to Reduce Separation of Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of CAPAC’s Immigration Taskforce, commended the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on its announcement that the agency is considering regulatory changes that will reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses and children who are in the process of becoming legal immigrants to the United States.

Rep. Judy Chu: “Improving our family-based immigration system is a priority for our caucus and community. Two-thirds of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are foreign born, with many families separated for extended periods of time by lengthy visa backlogs. Thanks to today’s announcement, many U.S. citizens will be able to significantly reduce the amount of time that they are separated from their loved ones who are in the process of attaining legal status. We commend the President and USCIS for their efforts to help address our broken immigration system and look forward to working with the Administration on additional common-sense solutions.”

Rep. Mike Honda: “Today’s announcement allowing visa applicants to file applications for family unity waivers inside the U.S. is a huge victory for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.  With AAPIs sponsoring more than one-third of all family-based immigrants, this new administrative change will alleviate bureaucratic obstacles for U.S. citizens from being reunited with their loved ones.  As the author of the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 1796) in the 112th Congress, I thank the Administration and urge them to continue ensuring that family reunification is a top priority with any future administrative changes.”

For more information on today’s announcement, please see the USCIS website.

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently Chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.