Once passed, the UAFA would stipulate a new immigration category allowing “permanent partners” of United States Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents to acquire immigration benefits. The provisions of the act are shrewd insofar as they avoid direct conflict with the definition of marriage as set forth in DOMA. Even if US law did not acknowledge the multi-national couple’s relationship status, it would probably bestow substantially similar immigration rights as those accorded to married people of the opposite sex. As time goes on and more local jurisdictions begin recognizing same sex marriage, the Defense of Marriage Act will become somewhat innocuous and irrelevant because many of the several states will recognize the union and Federal benefits will be granted based upon the usage of different terminology to define the relationship.
An interesting aspect of the UAFA from the standpoint of a US Immigration lawyer is the process of proving a “permanent partnership.This author believes that, at least initially, there will be a great deal more scrutiny placed upon same sex visa applications because adjudicators may be worried about unscrupulous people using the new category as a means of fraudulently obtaining immigration benefits. ...
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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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