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LegislationLEGISLATION | Detail


H.R. 1796: Reuniting Families Act

Sponsor: Honda (D - CA)

Official Title: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, and for other purposes.

Status:
5/6/2011: Introduced in House
5/6/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee

Commentary:
This bill is substantially similar to H.R. 1537 and S. 821, and would make amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.) to allow the “permanent partners” of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for permanent resident status under federal immigration laws in the same manner as the spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. H.R. 1796 defines a “permanent partner” as an individual age 18 or older who is: (a) “in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment”; (b) “financially interdependent with that other individual”; (c) “not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, any individual other than that other individual”; (d) “unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act”; and (e) “not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual.” In addition, H.R. 1796 would make the criminal penalties that are applicable to spouses who evade U.S. immigration laws by misrepresenting or concealing facts concerning the nature of their marital relationship applicable to permanent partners. Specifically, the bill would amend 8 U.S.C. § 1325(c) to prohibit any individual from “knowingly enter[ing] into a marriage or permanent partnership for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws.” Violators would be subject to criminal sanctions of up to five years imprisonment, fines of up to $250,000, or both.

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