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
Search results for kazzadrask, media, samesex, binational, couples, , time, ltbltb
For Same-Sex Binational Couples, Is the Time
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://kazzadraskmedia.blogspot.com)
The Out4Immigration Blog: Is it Time to Focus on Repealing DOMA?
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://out4immigration.blogspot.com)
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
President Obama Hints at Changing Attitude on Marriage Equality
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://gayrights.change.org)
This isn't the historic announcement that many are hoping for, but it is a sign that when it comes to the issue of marriage equality, President Obama might be shifting his political position.Perhaps this doesn't come as a surprise, especially for those who always thought that President Obama's opposition to gay marriage was rooted more in politics than principle. Indeed, in the late 1990s, President Obama (then a candidate for the Illinois State Legislature) indicated that he supported the righ
Binational Couple Confronts Congressman Rush Holt to Halt
Posted by
uluckidog 570 days ago
(http://saveourmarriagetips.com)
Please contact your …Please contact your representative and tell them to support The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 1024, S. 424). I’m also a person that has to live out side of the USA because my partner is French. This is unjust and unfair! It’s time to make the law equal for everyone! Please support UAFA.
California’s Senate Judiciary committee may soon be holding an official hearing on AJR 15, a resolution if approved would confirm California’s support of the passing of a United States Congressional bill The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA-HR.1024 & S 424).
Authored by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, CA-45, AJR 15 declares California’s disapproval of current US Immigration laws which forbids Same-Sex bi-national couples the opportunity from being able to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.
Authored by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, CA-45, AJR 15 declares California’s disapproval of current US Immigration laws which forbids Same-Sex bi-national couples the opportunity from being able to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.
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
Rare Permission by DHS for Binational Couple
Posted by
BinatUK 705 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Rare Permission by DHS for Binational CoupleLez Get RealHowever because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly ...and more »
Tim Coco and Genesio Oliveira married in 2005, when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts.
However because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly three years with Tim in Massachusetts and Genesio stuck in Brazil..
In an extraordinarily rare show of compassion, the immigration officials granted permission for Genesio to enter the USA and remain here for one year on humanitarian grounds, clearing the way for him to try again for legal residency.
Coco said he has spent about $250,000 in legal bills. A h
Tim Coco and Genesio Oliveira married in 2005, when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts.
However because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly three years with Tim in Massachusetts and Genesio stuck in Brazil..
In an extraordinarily rare show of compassion, the immigration officials granted permission for Genesio to enter the USA and remain here for one year on humanitarian grounds, clearing the way for him to try again for legal residency.
Coco said he has spent about $250,000 in legal bills. A h
Resolution To Support Gay Binational Couples Heads To California Senate
Posted by
LauREN 705 days ago
(http://blogs.sfweekly.com)
A resolution supporting the federal bill that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor their partners for a visa passed the California Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
Our cover story this week, "Worlds Apart," tells the story of three Bay Area couples whose lives would be changed by the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a federal bill that allows "permanent partners" to be treated the same as straight spouses in immigration matters. Currently, gay couples have no legal pathway to sponsor their foreign partners to stay in the country.
While the federal UAFA bill is on hold while lawmakers decide whether to include it in the comprehensive immigration reform, California legislators such as Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced a resolution last year urging the U.S. Congress to pass the s
Our cover story this week, "Worlds Apart," tells the story of three Bay Area couples whose lives would be changed by the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a federal bill that allows "permanent partners" to be treated the same as straight spouses in immigration matters. Currently, gay couples have no legal pathway to sponsor their foreign partners to stay in the country.
While the federal UAFA bill is on hold while lawmakers decide whether to include it in the comprehensive immigration reform, California legislators such as Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced a resolution last year urging the U.S. Congress to pass the s
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.
A Binational Xmas Wish in A letter to President Obama
Posted by
BinatUK 879 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Mr. President, with great respect, I am mentioning this during the holiday season because this time for many is fraught with sadness, fear and pain. Exiled Americans, who are with their spouses, cannot come home to spend Xmas with extended families and if they do, they have to leave spouses abroad. Tens of thousands of same sex couples are unable to spend these holidays together because they are stuck in different countries. These families cannot wait any longer. Our binational spouses and partners are being turned away at US airports, even as I write these words, at the arbitrary instance of an ICE officer....
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.
Immigration Reform Must Include LGBT Couples
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
In the fight for immigration equality, grassroots group OUT4IMMIGRATION, needs your urgent help. They are asking for you to please sign a Petition which can be found via their website or at www.change.org
All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion. There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be. But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.
All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion. There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be. But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.
Time is Running out for LGBT Rights (EqualAmerica)
Posted by
BinatUK 931 days ago
(http://equalamerica.org)
We wrote about this a little bit on Wednesday, but it’s important for the LGBT community to start looking for the next fight which is immigration reform (for some 36,000+ bi-national gay couples living in exile or facing an uncertain future), DADT, and DOMA.
The LGBT community needs to abandon the notion that incremental change will suffice. I have news for you: It will take about 13 years to gain a majority of states on our side with that approach. Who stands to gain from this approach? I’m glad you asked! People like Joe Solmonese from HRC, your elected officials in Congress, and the President. They all benefit because it ‘appears’ that they are working hard for change, but in essence, it’s a half-hearted piecemeal effort. Why do I sound so cynical? That’s because going this route is easy and doesn’t require much expense, because the political winds are shifting in our fa
The LGBT community needs to abandon the notion that incremental change will suffice. I have news for you: It will take about 13 years to gain a majority of states on our side with that approach. Who stands to gain from this approach? I’m glad you asked! People like Joe Solmonese from HRC, your elected officials in Congress, and the President. They all benefit because it ‘appears’ that they are working hard for change, but in essence, it’s a half-hearted piecemeal effort. Why do I sound so cynical? That’s because going this route is easy and doesn’t require much expense, because the political winds are shifting in our fa
Helping Same Sex Partners Enter The United States Legally
Posted by
BinatUK 931 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
“How may I assist with these stories, if at all?...”
“My question back to you is how do we get immigration reform defined as a...”
“Watch the actual video on ABC 7's website, and you'll see that he's really...”
“Thanks. I shortened it through tinyurl. Works now....”
“Note from imeQ about this editorial: This is an independent project which...”
Feedburner
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.