Family unity should be the cornerstone of our immigration policies, and family-based visas should be increased, allowed to rollover to the next fiscal year, and the backlog should be reduced. The spouses and minor children of LPRs should be immediately reunited rather than having to wait up to 7 years to see eachother. This is not only a moral argument, but one that prioritizes integration. Everyone wants immigrants to learn English and become integrated - this is much more likely when immigrant families are together. Children help parents with English, families become socially part of the fabric of their communities, and all involved feel much more connected to the United States, which spurs entrepreneural spirit and a desire to serve the U.S. through schools, community organizations, the military, etc. Also, when families stay together, they earn their money in the U.S. and spend their money in the U.S. This is a much better scenario than single men coming to work without the opportunity to bring their families. Our immigration system should never be elitist or discriminatory of people who have families - afterall - families give the United States its strength, as family members carry eachother through difficult times and reduce the reliance on other support mechanisms.

Reforming the family reunification system would take pressure off our borders, increase incentives for integration, and benefit our communities. Every day service providers see the benefits of family togetherness, especially during this rought economic time. The faith community in particular is very distressed that famlies are separated due to our ineguitable immigration policies. And reform of family unity to make it more accessible and reduce the backlog will help this year's immigration reform be more longlasting than reforms in the past.