Rachel Maddow took on the absurdity of U.S. immigration policy as it relates to same-sex couples on Wednesday night, challenging the logic of new rules regarding deceased spouses in a segment headlined “Dearly Deported.”
Maddow noted that the Department of Homeland Security has temporarily suspended the Bush-era “deport the widow" immigration rule, which mandated the deportation of immigrant widows married to U.S. citizens for less than two years.
Search results for immigration
Rachel Maddow takes on the absurdity of US immigration policy
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1077 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
Reuniting Families Act aims to clean up legal immigration system
Posted by
USABound 1077 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
More U.S. citizens may reunite with overseas family members if Congress passes the Reuniting Families Act in a bill introduced on May 20 by Sen. Robert Menendez (D–N.J.), Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand (D–N.Y.), Sen. Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.), and Sen. Edward Kennedy (D–Mass.).
If the bill passes, it will reduce the family visa backlog of more than 4 million, which keeps more than 20,000 immigrants from getting visas each year. Without a visa, an immigrant is not allowed to visit the United States.
If the bill passes, it will reduce the family visa backlog of more than 4 million, which keeps more than 20,000 immigrants from getting visas each year. Without a visa, an immigrant is not allowed to visit the United States.
Binational same sex couples hope immigration bill passes
Posted by
BinatUK 1077 days ago
(http://www.newsday.com)
They've been together eight years, marrying last month in Canada. Only Roy can't sponsor his partner for a green card because they're a same-sex couple.
"I don't understand how I have a legal document from Canada saying that we are legally married and why I can't bring him to the country," said Roy, 54, of Amityville, who did not want his last name disclosed because he is concerned about his partner's immigration status. "It's absolutely nuts."
The Family Research Council called it a "back door effort to redefine marriage." "The law in this country is very clear on what constitutes family," said Tony Perkins, the group's president. "People are connected by blood, marriage or adoption. This immigration policy is none of the above." For Blesch, who has a health condition, that means being unable to receive the Medicare benefits he receives here. "For both of us
"I don't understand how I have a legal document from Canada saying that we are legally married and why I can't bring him to the country," said Roy, 54, of Amityville, who did not want his last name disclosed because he is concerned about his partner's immigration status. "It's absolutely nuts."
The Family Research Council called it a "back door effort to redefine marriage." "The law in this country is very clear on what constitutes family," said Tony Perkins, the group's president. "People are connected by blood, marriage or adoption. This immigration policy is none of the above." For Blesch, who has a health condition, that means being unable to receive the Medicare benefits he receives here. "For both of us
Bill Pits Immigration and Gay Marriage
Posted by
BrenDAL 1077 days ago
(http://www.wiretapmag.org)
he RFA would extend the same immigration and naturalization rights to ... LGBT binational families risk being split apart when their emotional...Despite his intention to include as many couples and families as possible in new immigration legislation, Honda’s advocacy has upset more than a few allies and adversaries. The reintroduced bill – originally proposed in 2007 – has faced the typical critics over the years, including Catholics who favor pro-immigration reform but are against gay marriage. Recently, it has also received some unusual resistance, including concerns from other pro-immigration legislators and activists. Many believe that Honda’s efforts that will crack the already unstable foundation for new immigration policy by conflating the issues, which some argue, have nothing to do with one another. Conservative Democrats are likely to reject immigration legislation with same-s
Immigration Reform faith based or not and same sex marriage
Posted by
ATLdave 1077 days ago
(http://www.religiondispatches.org)
As Julia Preston reported in the New York Times a week ago, the powerful chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, has set off a huge and mainly behind-the-scenes panic among certain religious supporters of so-called comprehensive immigration reform. Bishop John Wester, who heads the Catholic bishops’ Committee on Migration, wrote to the Congressional committee chairs who are beginning to work on immigration that Leahy’s Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) would “erode the institution of marriage and family.”
The bishops’ staff director for immigration policy added that “the last thing the national immigration debate needs is another politically divisive issue added to the mix.”
And the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, an Evangelical group, called Leahy’s measure a “slap in the face” of right-th
The bishops’ staff director for immigration policy added that “the last thing the national immigration debate needs is another politically divisive issue added to the mix.”
And the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, an Evangelical group, called Leahy’s measure a “slap in the face” of right-th
Immigration laws force some gay couples to leave US
Posted by
USABound 1078 days ago
(http://www.azstarnet.com)
"It's an unholy marriage of the immigration debate and the same-sex marriage debate," he said. "It's very combustible."
Lown's decision last month brought the issue to an unlikely place, a town of 90,000 where ranchers and roughnecks from the vast open lands come to do their banking and send their kids to the regional state college. The town's only other recent brush with national fame came last year when it housed the hundreds of children taken from a polygamist sect's ranch in nearby Eldorado.
Lown's decision last month brought the issue to an unlikely place, a town of 90,000 where ranchers and roughnecks from the vast open lands come to do their banking and send their kids to the regional state college. The town's only other recent brush with national fame came last year when it housed the hundreds of children taken from a polygamist sect's ranch in nearby Eldorado.
Gay Couples Forced to Flee US Over Immigration Law (PinkNews-UK)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1078 days ago
(http://www.pinknews.co.uk)
An estimated 36,000 Americans face a choice — separate or move abroad — because they can’t secure green cards for their partners like heterosexual spouses can., said U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, citing information from the advocacy group Immigration Equality.
Bills have been introduced in Congress to treat same-sex partners like heterosexual spouses for the purposes of immigration but are likely to face a strong fight, both from gay marriage opponents and anti-immigration groups. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act prevents immigration officials from recognizing gay marriages, even from states where they are now legal.
Proponents see the issue as a basic rights question, and Steve Ralls, a spokesman for Immigration Equality, said he believes the best chance for the legislation is as part of a larger immigration bill.
Bills have been introduced in Congress to treat same-sex partners like heterosexual spouses for the purposes of immigration but are likely to face a strong fight, both from gay marriage opponents and anti-immigration groups. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act prevents immigration officials from recognizing gay marriages, even from states where they are now legal.
Proponents see the issue as a basic rights question, and Steve Ralls, a spokesman for Immigration Equality, said he believes the best chance for the legislation is as part of a larger immigration bill.
US immigration for family members may become faster
Posted by
OneVoice 1078 days ago
(http://www.workpermit.com)
If passed, new legislation will mean that families members including same-sex partners will be able to gain faster entry to the US. This is part of the ongoing efforts at immigration reform in the US. Family based immigration would be given priority; Unused visas from previous years will increase the number of visas available.
Mike Honda, who heads the caucus of Asian Americans, said that family members in some Countries have to wait decades to gain entry to the US.
"The benefits cannot be overstated," Honda said. "American workers with families by their side are happier, healthier and more able to succeed than those distanced from loved ones for years on end."
Mike Honda, who heads the caucus of Asian Americans, said that family members in some Countries have to wait decades to gain entry to the US.
"The benefits cannot be overstated," Honda said. "American workers with families by their side are happier, healthier and more able to succeed than those distanced from loved ones for years on end."
Catholic Bishops wont support immigration bill for gay families (KPCC Public Radio)
Posted by
USABound 1079 days ago
(http://www.scpr.org)
One of the most vocal supporters of immigration reform has been the Catholic Church. But the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will not support an immigration bill that includes protections for gay and lesbian couples. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde has the story.
Kitty Felde: Congressman Mike Honda has introduced a bill to expand the definition of immigrant families eligible to stay in the U.S. Under Honda’s bill, a widow who’s not a legal U.S. resident could stay if her husband dies. Same for widowers and orphans.
But Honda’s written in a provision so someone who’s gay can sponsor a same-sex partner for legal U.S. residency. Honda, who’s a Democrat from San Jose, says for him, including same-sex partners is a civil rights issue.
Congressman Mike Honda: When the founders wrote “All men are created equal,” we know today that we have
Kitty Felde: Congressman Mike Honda has introduced a bill to expand the definition of immigrant families eligible to stay in the U.S. Under Honda’s bill, a widow who’s not a legal U.S. resident could stay if her husband dies. Same for widowers and orphans.
But Honda’s written in a provision so someone who’s gay can sponsor a same-sex partner for legal U.S. residency. Honda, who’s a Democrat from San Jose, says for him, including same-sex partners is a civil rights issue.
Congressman Mike Honda: When the founders wrote “All men are created equal,” we know today that we have
Immigration How it affects us (Seth and Anthony)
Posted by
BinatUK 1080 days ago
(http://blackmarbleconsulting.blogspot.com)
As you know Anthony and I have been together 9 years and it has been a constant struggle with immigration throughout that time. When Anthony worked for British Airways he would fly to London from Philadelphia over night, go to work and fly home, so we could be together. He would do this process 4 -5 times a month because of the way immigration laws are at this time. At the moment he cannot get US residence and the right to work here. Now that we are in California and he is nearly finished with his studies, his student visa will be coming to an end again and he will have to go back to the UK and renew it but this process will not always last forever and we are worried that he will eventually be declined. We would ask you all to take a few minutes to support the United American Families Act that Congressman Mike Honda has put together and support us, Anthony and the other 36,000 other bin
Gay immigration rights in bill (MyVisaUSA Blog)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1080 days ago
(http://myvisausa.wordpress.com)
Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Democrat from Vermont who is the powerful chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has offered a bill that would allow American citizens and legal immigrants to seek residency in the United States for their same-sex partners, just as spouses now petition for foreign-born husbands and wives.
The most contentious part of the immigration legislation that the administration supports, which is known as comprehensive immigration reform, is a program to give legal status to more than 11 million illegal immigrants living in the country. But current proposals also include a variety of measures intended, like Leahy’s, to expand or streamline the legal immigration system.
The most contentious part of the immigration legislation that the administration supports, which is known as comprehensive immigration reform, is a program to give legal status to more than 11 million illegal immigrants living in the country. But current proposals also include a variety of measures intended, like Leahy’s, to expand or streamline the legal immigration system.
Although certain states have taken the progressive step towards granting marriage rights to gay couples, the impact on immigration laws has been zilch. Currently, same sex partners, whether legally married under foreign laws or under the laws of certain U.S. states, are not receiving any immigration benefits as immigration law, along with a few other legal practice areas, is governed entirely by federal statute as opposed to state specific legal rules. Immigration law is controlled by a number of federal regulations such as the Code of Federal Regulations and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
In an unprecedented step towards furthering the fight for equality, Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat from Vermont, introduced a new bill, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), on June 2, 2009. The UAFA aims to allow U.S. Citizens (USC’s) and legal permanent immigrants (LPR’s) to
In an unprecedented step towards furthering the fight for equality, Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat from Vermont, introduced a new bill, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), on June 2, 2009. The UAFA aims to allow U.S. Citizens (USC’s) and legal permanent immigrants (LPR’s) to
Gays push for partner immigration rights (Chronicle)
Posted by
USABound 1080 days ago
(http://www.sfgate.com)
As Congress and immigrant advocacy groups gear up for the annual tussle over comprehensive immigration reform, a proposal by San Jose Rep. Mike Honda is opening up a new angle on the debate - one that some groups warn could overshadow years of effort at building consensus.
Honda's Reuniting Families Act, introduced Thursday, would extend to "permanent partners" the same naturalization rights accorded to spouses under the bill, allowing gay and lesbian Americans to seek legal residency for their immigrant same-sex partners.
"How do you define 'all families'? Traditional heterosexual families but also permanent partners, recognized as having a legitimate long-term relationship," Honda, a Democrat, said this week. "It's a civil rights issue. The idea of being on the outside looking in is something we're familiar with, it's un-American. ... I want to make sure we d
Honda's Reuniting Families Act, introduced Thursday, would extend to "permanent partners" the same naturalization rights accorded to spouses under the bill, allowing gay and lesbian Americans to seek legal residency for their immigrant same-sex partners.
"How do you define 'all families'? Traditional heterosexual families but also permanent partners, recognized as having a legitimate long-term relationship," Honda, a Democrat, said this week. "It's a civil rights issue. The idea of being on the outside looking in is something we're familiar with, it's un-American. ... I want to make sure we d
Congress Considers Equal Immigration
Posted by
ATLdave 1080 days ago
(http://rawteeth.wordpress.com)
This week, Immigration Equality launched a campaign that they call the biggest in it’s history: congress is to “convene the first-ever hearings on binational couples.” On June 3, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a proposal, called the Reuniting American Families Act, that denotes ending discrimination against binational couples, allowing Americans to sponsor their same-gender partners for US residency.
Stories of Immigration Inequality (Big Gay Empire)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1081 days ago
(http://big-gayempire.blogspot.com)
Uniting American Families Act is legislation pending before Congress to place same-sex couples in legally recognized relationships on an equal footing with heterosexual married couples for the purposes of immigration. ...Under current law, and unlike heterosexual married couples, American citizens and permanent residents in same-sex legally recognized relationships (including marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships) are barred from sponsoring their partners for permanent residency in the United States. Thousands of same-sex couples have been forced apart, or forced to move abroad, because of this legal inequity.
To email your Senators and Representatives concerning the Uniting American Families Act, click on the Senate and House links in "Big Gay Links" below.
To email your Senators and Representatives concerning the Uniting American Families Act, click on the Senate and House links in "Big Gay Links" below.
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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.










