The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to the safe reunification of families that were unjustly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border between January 2017 and January 2021. In February 2021, President Biden created the Family Reunification Task Force to help identify and reunify families separated under the prior administration’s Zero-Tolerance policy at the U.S.-Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. The Task Force includes a whole of government approach to ensure that families are located and reunified. The Task Force is actively reunifying and searching for parents who are still separated from their children.
What is the purpose of this Task Force?
President Biden created the Family Reunification Task Force to help identify and reunify families separated under the prior administration’s Zero-Tolerance policy by using a whole-of-government approach to ensure that families are located and given the opportunity to reunify.
How do I know if I am eligible for reunification?
If you were separated under the Zero-Tolerance policy at the U.S.-Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, you may be eligible for reunification through the Task Force and entry into the United States.
How do I become reunited with my child?
The first step is to register with the Task Force on juntos.gov or together.gov. Eligible families will receive help applying for travel documents and immigration papers to enter the United States. This process can usually take a few months. Once approved, you and your family will be allowed to return to the United States to reunify with your child/children to live and work for three years. Counseling and mental health services will also be made available. Eligible families should not approach the U.S.-Mexico border to attempt family reunification.
What organizations partner with the Task Force?
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a trusted partner organization of the Task Force. The Task Force works with IOM to help families with the reunification process. If you are contacted by an individual from this organization, you may be eligible for reunification.
After I register for reunification, will I be reunited with my child?
Once registered, eligible families will be contacted by IOM and will receive help applying for travel documents and immigration papers to enter the United States and reunify with your child. This process can usually take a few months and is free.
If approved, how long will I be able to stay in the United States?
Once approved, you and your family will be allowed to return to the United States to reunify with your child/children to live and work for three years.
What happens after three years?
Families can apply to renew their applications and request to remain in the United States. However, renewal is not guaranteed.
Once I am in the United States, will I be able to work?
Yes. As part of this program, you are eligible for work authorization to allow you to legally work in the United States.
How much will this cost me?
These services are available free of charge by the United States government. Please visit juntos.gov or together.gov for more information or call the help line listed below.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please visit juntos.gov or together.gov for more information on family reunification and how to register. If you have questions about the reunification and return process or need help with your registration, please contact IOM’s Help Desk by phone which is available from Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mountain Time/Guatemala/El Salvador/Honduras.
- In Brazil, call: +55-21-3500-8817
- In El Salvador, call: +503-2136-1163
- In Guatemala, call: +502-2302-5773
- In Honduras, call: +504-2217-0379
- In Mexico, call: +52-55-8897-5395
- In Nicaragua, call: +505-7517-8143
- In the United States, call: +1-213-454-0527