Prioritization of family reunification in refugee resettlement process

(a) In general The Secretary of State shall prioritize refugees seeking reunification with relatives living in the United States, regardless of the nationality of such refugees. (b) Regulations (1) In general The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall promulgate regulations to ensure that an individual seeking admission to the United States as a refugee shall not be excluded from being interviewed for refugee status based on— (A) a close family relationship to a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States; (B) a potential qualification of the individual for an immigrant visa; or (C) a pending application by the individual for admission to the United States. (2) Simultaneous consideration The regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) shall ensure that an applicant for admission as a refugee is permitted to pursue simultaneously admission to the United States— (A) as a refugee; and (B) under any visa category for which the applicant may be eligible. (c) Notice of separate travel In the case of an applicant for admission under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) the application of whom is placed on hold for more than three months and one or more members of the family of the applicant have separate pending applications for admission under such section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (1) notify any individual on that case who is eligible to travel separately of the option to separate the case of the individual from the family unit; and (2) permit the individual to travel based on the satisfaction by the individual of all security and other requirements for a refugee application. (d) Use of embassy referrals (1) In general The Secretary of State shall set forth a plan to ensure that each United States embassy and consulate is equipped and enabled to refer individuals in need of resettlement to the United States refugee admissions program. (2) Training The Secretary of State shall undertake training for embassy personnel to ensure that each embassy and consulate has sufficient knowledge and expertise to carry out this paragraph.