by Kathy DraskyThe story in this video was first brought to our attention last week on Facebook. It is a story not unlike so many of ours. Josh, an American, married Henry, who is from Venezuela, in a state that recognizes gay marriages (Connecticut) last year. We all know the drill - if Josh was "Jane", he would have been able to petition the federal government to sponsor his husband for a green card. While there may be a waiting period and even an "investigation", the couple would not be looking down the barrel of being forced apart, and would most likely end up living happily ever after in the US.But Josh is a man and so is Henry, and as another Congressional session comes to a close with more co-sponsors of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) than ever before, but still no debate, much less a floor vote and our secure inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) as "iffy
Search results for helping, samesex, partners, enter, united, states, legally, focus
The Out4Immigration Blog: Is it Time to Focus on Repealing DOMA?
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://out4immigration.blogspot.com)
For Same-Sex Binational Couples, Is the Time
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://kazzadraskmedia.blogspot.com)
The story in this video was first brought to my attention last week on Facebook. It is a story not unlike so many I have heard in my work with Out4Immigration. Josh, an American, married Henry, who is from Venezuela, in a state that recognizes gay marriages (Connecticut) last year. If Josh was "Jane", he would have been able to petition the federal government to sponsor his husband for a green card. While there may be a waiting period and even an "investigation", the couple would not be looking
Next week the D.C. Council will discuss a resolution showing support of the Uniting American Families Act pending in Congress.
Councilman At-Large David Catania authored the resolution last week, and the other 12 members of the council co-introduced it.
U.S. immigration law does not allow same-sex citizens and permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration benefits.
The UAFA, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., would "amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connec
Councilman At-Large David Catania authored the resolution last week, and the other 12 members of the council co-introduced it.
U.S. immigration law does not allow same-sex citizens and permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration benefits.
The UAFA, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., would "amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connec
Is Immigration rights for same sex couples possible
Posted by
BinatUK 705 days ago
(http://www.sfgate.com)
You're from the United States. You fall in love with a foreign national. Straight couples have legal recourse in this situation: get married and sponsor your spouse for citizenship.
Gay couples in this situation have no legal recourse, an issue that SF Weekly recently highlighted with the stories of several same-sex couples who were separated by US immigration law, or had one partner living in the United States illegally.
Because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits legal recognition of same-sex relationships, couples married in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont can't sponsor their spouses for citizenship either.
Democrats in the Senate have included a provision for same-sex couples in their immigration reform proposal released April 29, which will give them the same immigration rights as straight cou
Gay couples in this situation have no legal recourse, an issue that SF Weekly recently highlighted with the stories of several same-sex couples who were separated by US immigration law, or had one partner living in the United States illegally.
Because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits legal recognition of same-sex relationships, couples married in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont can't sponsor their spouses for citizenship either.
Democrats in the Senate have included a provision for same-sex couples in their immigration reform proposal released April 29, which will give them the same immigration rights as straight cou
Puerto Vallarta puts same-sex legal issue center stage
Posted by
USABound 798 days ago
(http://www.guadalajarareporter.com)
A fund-raiser has been planned on Sunday, February 28 to support Immigration Equality, an organization that is seeking to get the U.S. HIV ban repealed this year, and is working hard to get legislation passed that will allow a U.S. citizen to sponsor his/her same-sex partner for permanent residency in the United States.
They met nearly 20 years ago in the Netherlands.
From the start, Jenny Phipps, a Delaware native, and Ottie Pondman said they forged a bond they never shared with their husbands.
When Phipps divorced her husband of 17 years, she moved in with Pondman, a native of the Netherlands, who was already divorced. The two lived as a couple in Zoetermeer.
But when the 52-year-old Phipps decided she wanted to return to the United States following her brother's death, Pondman, 61, agreed and came over on a visa waiver program -- essentially a tourist permit -- to legally remain here.
In September, though, immigration officials gave Pondman 60 to 90 days to leave the country. Her only chance of staying was to get married.
From the start, Jenny Phipps, a Delaware native, and Ottie Pondman said they forged a bond they never shared with their husbands.
When Phipps divorced her husband of 17 years, she moved in with Pondman, a native of the Netherlands, who was already divorced. The two lived as a couple in Zoetermeer.
But when the 52-year-old Phipps decided she wanted to return to the United States following her brother's death, Pondman, 61, agreed and came over on a visa waiver program -- essentially a tourist permit -- to legally remain here.
In September, though, immigration officials gave Pondman 60 to 90 days to leave the country. Her only chance of staying was to get married.
Helping Same Sex Partners Enter The United States Legally
Posted by
BinatUK 930 days ago
(http://blog.ctnews.com)
Under current United States immigration law, same-sex partners, even those married in states that perform same-sex marriages, do not qualify as “spouses” for immigration purposes. Consequently, while a U.S. citizen in a heterosexual marriage can petition for a green card for his or her spouse, this option is not available for same-sex couples. In the fifteen years that I’ve practiced immigration law, I have had the privilege of helping a number of foreign nationals join their same-sex partners legally in the United States. In the absence of legislative reform, the following are methods that, with the assistance of an immigration lawyer, may be successfully employed to reunite bi-national same-sex couples.
Foreign nationals wishing to enter the country for up to six months to visit a domestic partner may apply for a travel visa at the United States consulate in their home co
Foreign nationals wishing to enter the country for up to six months to visit a domestic partner may apply for a travel visa at the United States consulate in their home co
Gay partners seeking immigration changes
Posted by
USABound 942 days ago
(http://www.post-gazette.com)
He came here nine years ago from Indonesia, a gifted young student who earned a Ph.D. in structural engineering -- on a full scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh -- met his partner at a Starbucks in Shadyside, got a job in Washington, D.C., bought a condo and got married.
And on Wednesday, he got on a plane to Indonesia -- against his will.
Because he is gay, the man calling himself "Joe Smith" -- he asked that his real name not be used because he hasn't come out to his Indonesian family -- is not recognized as married under U.S. immigration law. So, when he was laid off from his job in April, Mr. Smith lost his employment-based green card, couldn't qualify for a family-based green card -- and the deportation clock started ticking.
Today, Mr. Smith's partner, Steve Orner, will appear at a congressional briefing on a House bill that would giv
And on Wednesday, he got on a plane to Indonesia -- against his will.
Because he is gay, the man calling himself "Joe Smith" -- he asked that his real name not be used because he hasn't come out to his Indonesian family -- is not recognized as married under U.S. immigration law. So, when he was laid off from his job in April, Mr. Smith lost his employment-based green card, couldn't qualify for a family-based green card -- and the deportation clock started ticking.
Today, Mr. Smith's partner, Steve Orner, will appear at a congressional briefing on a House bill that would giv
United States of America Not United fon LGBT Immigration Law
Posted by
ATLdave 956 days ago
(http://www.centraldistrictnews.com)
Why cant bi-nationals stay in the United States legally until we pass the Uniting American Families Act, is there a difference. I find it amazing how living in the Un-Untied States of America the super power of the world with huge weapon capability and a fast computer know how, I find it extremely strange that the arm forces are so scared of homosexuality Strange.
I always thought that National Equality is just what it means; it appears that the Ununited States of America appears to have a schizophrenic attitude, I was reading a blog one day and it said that that all the politicians goes to different parties to raise money and put people in different positions just to peas different groups. But when gay people who are united with each other, which supports each other and ask for there rights yes there human rights are ignored. However that being said we do thank you for p
I always thought that National Equality is just what it means; it appears that the Ununited States of America appears to have a schizophrenic attitude, I was reading a blog one day and it said that that all the politicians goes to different parties to raise money and put people in different positions just to peas different groups. But when gay people who are united with each other, which supports each other and ask for there rights yes there human rights are ignored. However that being said we do thank you for p
Already in Congress is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act, which seek to put a stop to the discrimination and permit same-sex partners to obtain permanent resident status by amending the Immigration ...
United by Love divided by Law Week 12
Posted by
UnitedByLove 983 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
This is the 12th week of a coordinated ‘Call Congress’
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting
a large number of people to call specific members on the
same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Note - ALL FIVE of the Representatives listed below were
past co-sponsors of UAFA, but still have yet to sign on.
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting
a large number of people to call specific members on the
same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Note - ALL FIVE of the Representatives listed below were
past co-sponsors of UAFA, but still have yet to sign on.
United by Love divided by Law
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1012 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
Every week, a coordinated grassroots effort takes place to contact specific
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
The State of the Same-Sex Union Part Three in a Three Part Series (FindLaw)
Posted by
MarcoMUC 1024 days ago
(http://us.rd.yahoo.com)
In the previous parts of this series (available here and here ), we described the history of the fight over same-sex marriage in the United States and mapped out the current national landscape, which features full marriage equality rights in some states, quasi-marriage rights in other states, and absolute bans on same-sex marriage in a large majority of states.
Because of these anti-recognition provisions, same-sex partners who validly marry in Massachusetts, or in another state or foreign country that permits such unions, will not have their marriages recognized by most other states. Thus, by moving or even traveling, a same-sex couple can effectively lose their marital status while in other states. That same couple will also be denied recognition for any federal law purpose such as immigration, Social Security benefits, or tax status.
Covered:
Marriage
Because of these anti-recognition provisions, same-sex partners who validly marry in Massachusetts, or in another state or foreign country that permits such unions, will not have their marriages recognized by most other states. Thus, by moving or even traveling, a same-sex couple can effectively lose their marital status while in other states. That same couple will also be denied recognition for any federal law purpose such as immigration, Social Security benefits, or tax status.
Covered:
Marriage
United by Love divided by Law (Call Congress week 6)
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1026 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
Every week, a coordinated grassroots effort takes place to contact specific
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
If anyone has any questions about this, please let me know.
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
If anyone has any questions about this, please let me know.
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
Immigration obstacles for same sex couples (Queery Radio)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1029 days ago
(http://queery-wort.blogspot.com)
Tonight we looked at proposed immigration reform to remedy discrimination against same-sex couples. Pamela Hathaway, a longtime Madison resident who is married to Frenchwoman Lucie Ferrari, talked about navigating the U.S. and Canadian immigration systems in an effort to live in the same country as her wife, Lucie Ferrari. And we chatted with Julie Kruse of Immigration Equality about prospects for the Uniting American Families Act, which would enable Americans to sponsor a same-sex spouse or partner for immigration.
Kruse said that Wisconsin senators can play a pivotal role in moving the Uniting American Families Act, since both serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Russ Feingold has co-sponsored the act, and Kruse asked listeners to contact him to thank him and ask him to become a "champion" of the legislation. Senator Herb Kohl has not co-sponsored the legislat
Kruse said that Wisconsin senators can play a pivotal role in moving the Uniting American Families Act, since both serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Russ Feingold has co-sponsored the act, and Kruse asked listeners to contact him to thank him and ask him to become a "champion" of the legislation. Senator Herb Kohl has not co-sponsored the legislat
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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.