Traveling from a homeland that bans sex except for reproduction, Ray Sin expected fewer restrictions in the United States.But after the student from Singapore fell in love in Minneapolis, his impression that the United States was progressive was punctured. He learned that his partner, Phillip Knoll, could not sponsor him to live in the United States, as can a heterosexual wishing to sponsor a spouse from abroad.
"That's when I realized, 'Oh, no, we have so many obstacles,' " said Sin, 29. Now U.S. lawmakers are drafting immigration-reform bills that would include proposals to let gay people bring their partners to the United States permanently.
Sen. Al Franken is expected to co-sponsor such a proposal, his spokeswoman said. If adopted, the legislation would affect about 40,000 couples in the U.S., including 500 in Minnesota. Gay-rights advocates are courting Minnesota senators and hope to meet with Franken and Sen. Amy Klobuchar before Labor Day. "Minnesota is especially important because it has the unique position of two senators on the Judiciary Committee," said Steve Ralls, spokesman for Immigration Equality, a D.C.-based organization that lobbies for gay rights. "It also has a significant community of binational gay couples."...
Gay couples seek changes in immigration law in US
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.
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