For Individuals from Former Soviet Union Countries
The Lautenberg Program
The Lautenberg Program is a family reunification program that allows certain individuals legally residing in the United States to bring their family members to the U.S. through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Update (as of 04/08/2025): Thank you for your interest in the Lautenberg Program. At this time, we are NOT currently accepting new cases, and the future of the program remains uncertain. We understand how important this program is to many in our community. Please check back here for future updates.
All applications, called Affidavits of Relationship (AORs), must be processed through a field office of a refugee resettlement agency (RA), such as World Relief Sacramento (WRS). The U.S. Tie (UST) is the individual residing in the US who files the AOR for their family members. The other applicants/members on the AOR are the individuals able to immigrate through the program. The Primary Applicant (PA) is the main applicant abroad who is directly related to the UST. To be eligible, the PA must be 1) a citizen of a country comprising the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and 2) one of the following: Jews, Evangelical Christians (Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, and others), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ukrainian Greek Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Full eligibility guidelines appear below.
Cost: There is no filing fee associated with these applications.
Application period: Typically opens in the spring and processes through September 30th.
Update (as of 04/08/2025): Thank you for your interest in the Lautenberg Program. At this time, we are NOT currently accepting new cases, and the future of the program remains uncertain. We understand how important this program is to many in our community. Please check back here for future updates.