Thank you for contacting my office regarding chain migration, or the family reunification visa program created under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.



As you may already know, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was amended to include a provision that allows legal immigrants in the U.S. to sponsor immediate relatives to obtain visas and gain entry into the U.S. Under this provision, legal immigrants can sponsor an unlimited number of immediate relatives; however there is a limit set on how many can enter the country each year. The purpose of this provision was to allow families that have been divided, especially for reasons of financial need (whereby a parent has left their home to find higher pay in the U.S. and more adequately support their family) a path toward reunification with their spouse, children and parents.



The conditions outlined in this amendment have raised some concern. Some feel that the limit set on the number of immediate relatives that can enter the country each year will only increase illegal immigration as relatives become impatient waiting to obtain their visas. Additionally, many Americans do not believe this is a legitimate path towards citizenship, stating that families who wish to reunite should do so in their country of origin.



Please know that I share your concerns about the serious economic and security problems created by the large number of illegal immigrants in our country. Illegal immigration is a drain on our tax resources and it depresses wages unfairly for Americans. The number of illegal immigrants in our country today makes it clear that neither our efforts to secure our borders nor our immigration laws are working. If we are serious about stopping illegal immigration, we need to change the status quo. We must replace rhetoric with adequate resources for equipment and law enforcement along our borders to fight crime and secure our border. This includes holding employers who hire illegal immigrants accountable.



Please be assured I will keep your views firmly in mind as I monitor this issue. Thank you again for taking the time to write. I sincerely appreciate your input and hope that you will feel free to contact me anytime I may be of assistance to you. In addition, I hope you find my website (www.klein.house.gov) a useful resource in keeping up with events in Washington and the 22nd Congressional District of Florida.









Sincerely,

Ron Klein
Member of Congress