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
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Helping Same Sex Partners Enter The United States Legally
Posted by
BinatUK 931 days ago
(http://blog.ctnews.com)
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
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
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
Deportation on hold for gay mom
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1119 days ago
(http://www.pacificatribune.com)
This happy family is intact thanks to a private bill introduced by Senator Diane Feinstein to stay the deportation order of Shirley Tan, right.
(Her story is beginning to gain some media attention and being circulated among gay immigration rights activists.) She met her lesbian partner Jay Mercado and had two twin children. And they have been together since Tan entered the ...
US lesbian mother given deportation reprieveDallas Voice, TX... immigration reform bill, known as the Uniting American Families Act, that would give gay Americans the right to sponsor foreign-born partners for residency. “The long-term health of their family completely depends on the passage of UAFA,” Nathan ...
Shirley Tan Saved from Deportation by Private Bill
Posted by
igualdad 1126 days ago
(http://feeds.towleroad.com)
Shirley Tan, who had received a temporary reprieve and was scheduled to be deported and separated from her partner of 23 years, Jay Mercado, and their two children on April 22, was saved at the last minute by a private bill introduced ...
New Bill Saves Lesbian From Deportation
Posted by
SFbeat 1126 days ago
(http://www.gaywired.com)
Activists from Marriage Equality USA, Immigration Equality, Out4Immigration and Love Exiles implored elected officials to help.
Jay Mercado, second from left, and Shirley Tan pose with their twin 12-year-old sons Jashley and Joriene Mercado and grandmother Renee Mercado, at their home in Pacifica on March 28.
“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....”
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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.