American Families United Act

This bill aims to keep U.S. families together. It lets immigration officials, case by case, stop or dismiss deportation (removal) for the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen when separating the family would cause hardship; the bill presumes that family separation is a hardship. It also lets officials waive certain immigration bars, choose not to start a case, avoid bringing back an old deportation order, or allow someone to reapply for entry or other benefits when a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child would face hardship. Widows, widowers, and orphans of deceased U.S. citizens can also qualify if they act within two years, unless extraordinary circumstances. Some people are not eligible if they fall under specific immigration law bars listed in the bill. All decisions must be made one person at a time, not as a group policy .

It also lets people ask to reopen past denials or removal orders if they likely would have won under these new rules, but they must file within two years after the law takes effect unless extraordinary circumstances kept them from filing in time.

• Who is affected: Noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens; their U.S. citizen family members (spouse, parent, or child); widows/widowers and orphans of deceased U.S. citizens. Some people are excluded under specific immigration law sections listed in the bill.
• What changes: Officials may stop or dismiss deportation cases, waive certain immigration bars, choose not to start a case, avoid reinstating old orders, or allow reapplication for benefits when hardship to a U.S. citizen family member would result. Family separation is presumed to be a hardship, and decisions are case by case .
• When: Effective after enactment, with a two-year window to seek reopening of past denials or orders, and a two-year window after a U.S. citizen’s death for widows/widowers and orphans to seek relief, unless extraordinary circumstances apply .