Family Reunification with the IRC in Atlanta

There are several ways refugees and asylees can be reunited with their loved ones once they are in the United States—the IRC in Atlanta assists clients with five different federal family reunification programs, all at no cost to the client. Family Reunification Specialist, Carly Shortland, assists clients from all over the world who are seeking to reunite with family members they left behind. “When clients are seeking family reunification services, they are incredibly worried about their family still overseas,” Carly shared. “Most refugees who leave their country to come to the United States do so because they feel like it’s the only option. In many cases, they are the first in their family to get out of their country, and therefore the most likely to bring  their relatives over. And while it might seem better than still being in their country of origin, it is very difficult to start over in a new country where you don’t know the language, you don’t know anyone there, and you are missing your loved ones.”

Carly works directly with clients to identify which reunification pathways they might be eligible for and supports them through the application process. “When clients are referred to me for family reunification, it is my job to give them hope that their family might be able to join them again one day. It can be a lengthy process, but it is so worth it. I love the phone calls I’ve been able to give, telling clients that their children, or spouse, or parents have been approved and are coming here. I love getting to watch families reunite and meet with them once they are all here and see the joy on their faces to have their families back with them again. It is such an honor and a privilege to do this job and support our clients in the ways I do.” 

Family Reunification Programs: 

Afghan Family Reunification Program

• Open to all Afghans who left during the non-combat evacuation in August 14 - August 31, 2021
• Can apply for spouses or children under 21 (at the time of evacuation)
• Unaccompanied minors can apply for parents

Priority 3 Direct Access Program 

• Open to everyone except those living in Turkey, Libya, Syria, Yemen or Iran 
• Can bring parents, children under 21 and spouses 
• U.S. tie must have been resettled from 2016-current year 
• U.S. tie must be refugee, asylee, lawful permanent resident or citizen 

Central American Minors Program 

• Open to those living in Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras 
• Can bring children under 21 and caregivers of children 
• U.S. tie must have been in the U.S. 2016-current year 
• U.S. tie can have any legal status in the United States 

Former Soviet Union Lautenberg Program 

• Open to anyone in any former Soviet Union country and religious minority 
• Can bring parents, children under 21 and spouses 
• Open to Ukrainians not in religious minority due to war 
• U.S. tie must be legally residing in the United States 

Iranian Lautenberg Program 

• Open to anyone currently living in Iran and a religious minority (Bahai)  
• Can bring anyone they have a personal relationship with
• U.S. tie must be legally residing in the United States 

Download our Family Reunification flyer.

For more information on how the IRC in Atlanta can help you to explore options for family reunification, please contact Family Reunification Specialist, Carly Shortland, by emailing [email protected] or call 470-453-6083.

To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Development Director, Heloise Ahoure, at [email protected] or 678-636-8941.  

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