I wanted to share some late-breaking news about a key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcement regarding a rule that could reduce the hardships facing some immigrant families.
First and foremost, I’m encouraged by Wednesday’s DHS unveiling of a final rule that promises to reduce the separation of families by encouraging some undocumented immigrant parents, children, and spouses to come out of the shadows to permanently reunify with their U.S. citizen family members. Though what America really needs at this point is comprehensive immigration reform, this policy change is a step in the right direction.
However, because the rule will apply only to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, LIRS will keep calling for equity and fairness in the treatment of all immigrant families. We believe that family members of those who possess green cards, meaning lawful permanent residents, should be allowed to remain with their families in the United States as the government processes their waiver applications.
To learn more, please have a look at our full press release on this issue, “LIRS Welcomes Final DHS Policy Change to Protect American Families. Thank you again for all of your work to stand with immigrants and refugees. Please tune in for our Tuesday National Action Alerts and Thursday State Action Alerts, and you can always find ways to raise your voice through the LIRS Action Center.