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
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Is Immigration rights for same sex couples possible
Posted by
BinatUK 705 days ago
(http://www.sfgate.com)
Immigration Equality announces action fund
Posted by
USAFrance 879 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
Immigration Equality, a non-profit advocacy and legal aid organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-positive immigrants and their families, announced today that it has established a “501(c)4” entity, the Immigration Equality Action Fund, to significantly increase its federal advocacy and grassroots organizing work. The Action Fund’s launch also includes an expanded office in Washington, D.C., where a new policy staffer and an online grassroots organizer will soon join the organization.
“The launch of the Immigration Equality Action Fund comes at a critical moment in our work to advocate on behalf of LGBT immigrant families,” said Rachel B. Tiven, the organization’s executive director. “As Congress turns its attention to comprehensive immigration reform, and as a record number of lawmakers signal their support for the Uniting American Families A
“The launch of the Immigration Equality Action Fund comes at a critical moment in our work to advocate on behalf of LGBT immigrant families,” said Rachel B. Tiven, the organization’s executive director. “As Congress turns its attention to comprehensive immigration reform, and as a record number of lawmakers signal their support for the Uniting American Families A
UAFA Gains Influential New Cosponsor
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 901 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (and formerly that committee’s Republican Chairman), has signed on as a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
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
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
Nadler says DOMA Repeal Will Skip Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1031 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
"Under DOMA's Section 3 the federal government is forbidden from recognizing LGBT couples married in the six states where same-sex marriage is legal. Section 2 of the law says those states that outlaw same-sex marriages do not have to recognize legal same-sex marriages from other states. Nadler said his bill would repeal both sections of DOMA. 'We have got to repeal DOMA and have got to make sure it accomplishes for federal purposes allowing the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages,' said Nadler, who led the fight to defeat a Federal Marriage Amendment that would have enshrined the same-sex marriage ban in the U.S. Constitution. 'The time for dumping DOMA is long overdue.' HRC President Joe Solmonese said it makes sense to restrict the debate over repealing DOMA only to recognition of same-sex marriage. 'We ought to start it with what we would ultimately achieve, a wholesa
Shirley Tan and Family to March with Out4Immigration at San Francisco Pride 2009
Posted by
BinatUK 1066 days ago
(http://www.indybay.org)
Shirley Tan, her partner Jay Mercado, and their two children will join Out4Immigration—the all volunteer, grassroots advocate for same-sex binational couples and their families—at the San Francisco 2009 Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28th. Together, they will be marching for equal immigration rights for same-sex binational couples to remain together in the U.S. by urging Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Ex Mayor Becomes Example Of Gay Partners Immigration Dilemma
Posted by
ATLdave 1067 days ago
(http://garibaldigay.blogspot.com)
The mayor of this West Texas sheep ranching town offered a stunning explanation when he suddenly resigned: He was in love with a man who was an illegal immigrant and had gone to Mexico.
They had to move, he said, because there was no legal way for them to remain together in the United States.
"It wasn't a decision that any U.S. citizen should have to make," former Mayor J.W. Lown said in an interview from Mexico. "I left a home. I left a ranch. I left a promising political career."
His local prominence and his run for the border on the day he was supposed to be sworn in for a fourth term caused jaws to drop, but it also became a high-profile example of the thousands of Americans who face a similar choice - separate or move abroad - because they can't secure green cards for their partners like ...
They had to move, he said, because there was no legal way for them to remain together in the United States.
"It wasn't a decision that any U.S. citizen should have to make," former Mayor J.W. Lown said in an interview from Mexico. "I left a home. I left a ranch. I left a promising political career."
His local prominence and his run for the border on the day he was supposed to be sworn in for a fourth term caused jaws to drop, but it also became a high-profile example of the thousands of Americans who face a similar choice - separate or move abroad - because they can't secure green cards for their partners like ...
Is Obamas Same Sex Partners Policy Enough
Posted by
ATLdave 1072 days ago
(http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com)
Can someone explain to me how those in the armed forces - working for Uncle Sam - are supposed to take advantage of these "benefits" under Don't Ask Don't Tell?
An immigration bill introduced in the House of Representatives last week would allow homosexuals to sponsor their “permanent partners” for residency in the United States in the same way that heterosexual married couples are allowed to do. Critics say the legislation opens the door to widespread fraud.
The Reuniting Families Act classifies the children and spouses of lawful permanent U.S. residents as “immediate relatives,” allowing them to quickly qualify for a visa. It also “ends discrimination in immigration law” by allowing same-sex “permanent partners” to reunite in the United States. Asked about countries that lack formal recognition of same-sex marriage (that would include most countries), Nadler told CNSNews.com, “presenting your marriage certificate is not it …they will ask you more questions, you will have to submit more proof.” He did not specify what kind of
The Reuniting Families Act classifies the children and spouses of lawful permanent U.S. residents as “immediate relatives,” allowing them to quickly qualify for a visa. It also “ends discrimination in immigration law” by allowing same-sex “permanent partners” to reunite in the United States. Asked about countries that lack formal recognition of same-sex marriage (that would include most countries), Nadler told CNSNews.com, “presenting your marriage certificate is not it …they will ask you more questions, you will have to submit more proof.” He did not specify what kind of
Gays forced into tough choices with immigrant partners (Detroit Free Press)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1079 days ago
(http://www.freep.com)
They had to move, he said, because they couldn't legally remain together in the United States.
"It wasn't a decision that any U.S. citizen should have to make," former Mayor J.W. Lown said in an interview from Mexico. "I left a home. I left a ranch. I left a promising political career."
His run for the border on the day he was supposed to be sworn in for a fourth term caused jaws to drop, but his situation also became a high-profile example of the thousands of Americans who face a similar choice -- separate or move abroad -- because they can't secure green cards for their partners like heterosexual spouses can.
"It wasn't a decision that any U.S. citizen should have to make," former Mayor J.W. Lown said in an interview from Mexico. "I left a home. I left a ranch. I left a promising political career."
His run for the border on the day he was supposed to be sworn in for a fourth term caused jaws to drop, but his situation also became a high-profile example of the thousands of Americans who face a similar choice -- separate or move abroad -- because they can't secure green cards for their partners like heterosexual spouses can.
US to Gay Couples Howdy Partners
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1083 days ago
(http://prayer-and-action.blogspot.com)
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the "Uniting American Families Act," a bill that would allow homosexuals to immigrate to the U.S. with their partners under the same resident status as married spouses. As FRC has argued, there is no reason for Congress to carve out an exception to the immigration rule to accommodate these "partnerships." In my written testimony, which was submitted today to the Judiciary Committee, I reiterated the fact that "families" are legally recognized by blood, marriage, or adoption. In other words, these same-sex "partnerships" don't constitute "family" relationships.
Although Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) frames the policy as an anti-discrimination measure, the truth is, it weakens our federal law and chips away at the unique status of marriage. For the federal government to recognize homosexual pairs in any way, shape, or form
Although Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) frames the policy as an anti-discrimination measure, the truth is, it weakens our federal law and chips away at the unique status of marriage. For the federal government to recognize homosexual pairs in any way, shape, or form
Pacifica Mom Urges Passage of Gay Immigration Bill (KCBS NEWS AUDIO)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1086 days ago
(http://www.kcbs.com)
A Pacifica mother of two testified on capitol hill Wednesday about how immigration officials took her away from her home in handcuffs for ignoring a deportation letter, which she said she had never seen before.
Effort to Include Gay Partners Threatens Immigration Bill
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1086 days ago
(http://www.edgeboston.com)
Effort to Include Gay Partners Threatens Immigration BillEDGE Boston, MAImmigration Equality also denied that the "permanent partners" provision would be the equivalent to marriage equality. "A permanent partnership is not equivalent to marriage. The UAFA does not seek to add same sex couples to the category of spouse in ...Effort to Include Gay Partners Threatens Immigration BillEDGE Boston, MAImmigration Equality also denied that the "permanent partners" provision would be the equivalent to marriage equality. "A permanent partnership is not equivalent to marriage. The UAFA does not seek to add same sex couples to the category of spouse in ...As competing visions for immigration policy collide in Congress, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has demonstrated the church’s scorn for same-sex families once again by ditching immigration reform and the associated issues of soci
Activists expect three or four binational couples to be able to testify before the senators, Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, told Advocate.com. “The hearings are really tremendous and an indication of the ... In a development that some activists are calling historic, a bill that would allow U.S. citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners to immigrate legally into the country is getting its day in Congress, for the first time.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) for Wednesday, June 3. The news came Thursday in a press release by Immigration Equality, one of the organizations pushing for the bill to become law.
As Feet in 2 Worlds reported this week, UAFA would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their partners for U.S. residency in the same way heterosexuals are
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) for Wednesday, June 3. The news came Thursday in a press release by Immigration Equality, one of the organizations pushing for the bill to become law.
As Feet in 2 Worlds reported this week, UAFA would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their partners for U.S. residency in the same way heterosexuals are
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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.