H.R.883: Families Belong Together Act

The Families Belong Together Act would grant lawful permanent status (LPR) to certain children separated from their families by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The bill defines an eligible child as someone who entered the U.S. before the age of eighteen, at a point of entry or between points of entry, and was separated from their parent or legal guardian by DHS absent a determination that the guardian is unfit or dangerous to the child.

It also defined an eligible parent as either: the parent of an eligible child, or the parent/legal guardian of an eligible child who entered the U.S. with the child and was separated by DHS absent a determination that the guardian is unfit or dangerous.
This legislation would apply to eligible children who are currently in DHS or the Office of Refugee Resettlement, who have already been released to a sponsor, or someone who has already been repatriated to their home country.

Both eligible parents and children would then be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would be required to change their statuses within 30 days. Additionally, if eligible parents or children requested humanitarian parole, USCIS must grant it to them. In both of these circumstances, fees imposed on eligible children or parents are prohibited.

Appropriations

The act would authorize an additional $5,000,000 for FY 2019 to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, an office within the Department of Justice that is responsible for adjudicating all immigration cases in the United States.