family reunification

[ fam-uh-lee ree-yoo-nuh-fi-key-shuhn, fam-lee ]

noun

1. the act or process of bringing family members back together after a separation, especially the reuniting of spouses with each other, children with their parents, and elderly or dependent relatives with their caretakers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of family reunification¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Court-ordered parenting classes were also part of family reunification plans in horrific Los Angeles County cases such as those of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, who died in 2013, and 10-year-old Anthony Avalos, who died in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

It is this group that are eligible for the new family reunification route.

From BBC

The “Hope, courage and pride” agreement introduces strict measures on asylum seekers, scraps family reunification for refugees and seeks to reduce the number of international students studying in the country.

From Seattle Times

Bryan, who grew up in foster care and has authored past legislation on child welfare reform, said the state has failed to provide “meaningful” family reunification services, disproportionately harming children of color and those who live in poverty.

From Los Angeles Times

These included delaying foreigners’ access to state subsidies like housing aid or family allowances for several months or even years; toughening family reunification rules for immigrants; and forcing children born to foreigners in France to request French citizenship upon reaching adulthood, rather than having it granted automatically.

From New York Times