Migration and family law aims to ensure that the rights of families are protected during the migration process, including the right to family reunification, the right to maintain family ties, and the right to access family-based immigration benefits.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is considered the cornerstone of migration and family law as it recognizes the right to family life and the right to freedom of movement, which are essential for the protection of families during migration.

The principle of family unity in migration law recognizes the importance of keeping families together during the migration process, and aims to prevent the separation of family members due to migration policies or regulations.

Spouse or partner sponsorship is the most common type of family-based immigration application, allowing individuals to sponsor their spouses or partners for permanent residency or citizenship in their country of residence.

A family reunification visa is a type of immigration visa that allows family members of individuals who are already legally residing in a country to immigrate to the same country and join their family.

The legal definition of a family member for the purpose of migration typically includes spouses or partners, children and stepchildren, parents and grandparents, and in some cases, siblings and their spouses or partners.

Families during migration often face a range of challenges, including separation from family members, financial difficulties due to the costs of migration, language barriers in their new country, and cultural differences that can make it difficult to integrate into the new society.

Families during migration are entitled to a range of legal protections, including the right to family reunification, the right to maintain family ties, the right to access family-based immigration benefits, and the right to protection from discrimination based on their family status.

International organizations play a crucial role in promoting migration and family law by developing international standards and guidelines, providing technical assistance to countries, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of migration and family law, and facilitating cooperation between countries on migration and family law issues.

Emerging issues in migration and family law include the impact of climate change on migration and family life, the use of technology in migration and family law, the increasing diversity of family structures, and the rise of anti-immigration sentiment, which can all have significant implications for the protection of families during migration.