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Increased Screening for Refugee Family Members

The Department of State, together with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services have announced that new procedures will be put into effect when it comes to screening refugees as they enter the United States. The changes went into effect on February 1. The goal of these changes is to ensure that all categories of refugee are screened at the same level. Initially, refugees who were considered “following to join” family members did not have the same vetting process as principal refugees and accompanying family members. Family members who fall into the following to join category are the spouses or children of principal refugees who wish to join their family member in the United States.

Some of the new security provisions that will be applicable to refugees who are following to join their family members in the United States include:

  • Getting the same interagency screening and vetting that all other refugees are subject to
  • Requesting that in addition to the principal refugee’s submission of the Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, the following to join refugee must submit a Registration for Classification as a Refugee
  • Some nationals and “stateless persons” will be checked in classified databases

If you have questions about how these changes may impact you, contact us today.

If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for matters regarding immigration, please contact the Law Offices of Salvatore A. Falletta, LLC and we would be happy to provide you with assistance. Our firm is located in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.