A Brazilian man was reunited with his American husband this week after a U.S. senator pressed federal officials to temporarily allow the gay man back into the country on humanitarian grounds.
Nearly three years ago, the couple split when Oliveira was forced to return to Brazil after being denied permanent residency in the U.S. because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.
The pair maintained contact through online video chats and sporadic visits during holidays.
The case gained international attention from gay rights and immigrant advocates who criticized U.S. officials for separating the couple even though they were legally married.
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US senator help Brazilian man reunite with his American husband
Posted by
USABound 705 days ago
(http://www.canadaeast.com)
Senator Arlen Specter signs support for Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
USAFrance 901 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
There has been a recent bevy of co-sponsors signing onto the Uniting American Families Act, the legislation that seeks to provide Lesbian and Gay Americans with the right to Petition for their same-sex spouses/ partners to live in the USA. This law merely seeks to place the words “permanent partners” into the existing Immigration and Naturalization Act. This is no time to let up, but rather imprtant that we make the most of the momentum. I have 14 couples I am trying to help remain together in the US. That is a tip of the iceberg. They are all desperate. They want to stay together and they want to stay at home. We need UAFA legialstion and awareness of the binational issue more so than ever. Please I am asking for your help.
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Today the news was immense when Senator Arlen Specter sign his support to the Bill. In June this year the Senator attended and spoke at
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Today the news was immense when Senator Arlen Specter sign his support to the Bill. In June this year the Senator attended and spoke at
Senator Kerry Supports NEW DOMA Lawsuit
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 931 days ago
(http://www.ontopmag.com)
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry says he supports a new lawsuit against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Tim Coco and Genesio “Junior” Oliveira, a binational gay couple, announced Monday they would challenge the 13-year-old law that bans the federal government from recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples.
Oliveira, 30, returned to his native Brazil in 2007 after an immigration judged denied his request for asylum. He sought asylum in the U.S. in 2002 because he said he was raped as a teenager. In March, Senator Kerry sent a letter asking for intervention in the matter to Attorney General Eric Holder. On Friday, Coco told the AP that the deadline for Holder to act had passed without action from the administration, effectively supporting Oliveira's denial of asylum and keeping the men apart.
Tim Coco and Genesio “Junior” Oliveira, a binational gay couple, announced Monday they would challenge the 13-year-old law that bans the federal government from recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples.
Oliveira, 30, returned to his native Brazil in 2007 after an immigration judged denied his request for asylum. He sought asylum in the U.S. in 2002 because he said he was raped as a teenager. In March, Senator Kerry sent a letter asking for intervention in the matter to Attorney General Eric Holder. On Friday, Coco told the AP that the deadline for Holder to act had passed without action from the administration, effectively supporting Oliveira's denial of asylum and keeping the men apart.
This may be interpreted to confirm that CIR will in fact include UAFA, when introduced by Senator Schumer. However in August of 2009, when I asked Julie Kruse of Immigration Equality why would we be concerned that an overt champion of UAFA and LGBT issues such as Schumer would fail to include LGBT in CIR, she cautioned that there was no guarantee that Senator Schumer would in fact include UAFA. However it would seem that Senator Gillibrand may now be providing some valuable insight as to what we can expect. ...
The Senator emphasized the importance of Senator Schumer introducing Immigration reform legislation by year’s end; and the fact that it is imperative that the legislation passes by Spring 2010, the latter in her estimation possibly being a last opportunity...
The Senator emphasized the importance of Senator Schumer introducing Immigration reform legislation by year’s end; and the fact that it is imperative that the legislation passes by Spring 2010, the latter in her estimation possibly being a last opportunity...
NYC Council Supports Gay Immigration Bill
Posted by
BrenDAL 963 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
The New York City Council passed a resolution Wednesday supporting a congressional bill to allow American citizens to sponsor their foreign-born, same-sex partners in the naturalization process.
The resolution on the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 was passed within two weeks of being introduced. Eight people, including Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven, testified to the Immigration Committee on September 29 in favor of the resolution.
The resolution on the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 was passed within two weeks of being introduced. Eight people, including Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven, testified to the Immigration Committee on September 29 in favor of the resolution.
Legislation Introduced to Congress to Repeal DOMA
Posted by
DividedByLaw 971 days ago
(http://emptyclosets.com)
“The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a hurtful and cynical law enacted to discriminate against loving, committed same-sex couples,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, who also offered remarks at the introduction press conference. “It does real harm by denying thousands of lawfully-married same-sex couples the federal rights and benefits that only flow through marriage. Many of these include the protections couples turn to in times of need, like Social Security survivors’ benefits, medical leave to care for an ailing spouse and equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws. Today’s introduction of legislation to repeal DOMA is a welcome step, and as more states recognize the commitment of loving same-sex couples and their families, it's time for this law to go into the history books where it belongs.”
Repeal of Discriminatory DOMA Introduced
Posted by
UnitedByLove 971 days ago
(http://baltimoreoutloud.com)
On September 15, the House of Representatives introduced the Respect for Marriage Act which would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and restore the rights of all lawfully married couplesa 'including same-sex couples to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.
Respect for Marriage Act Will to Repeal DOMA
Posted by
UnitedByLove 971 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
UPDATED U.S. Reps. Jerrold Nadler , Tammy Baldwin Jared Polis , along with John Lewis and Nydia Velazquez today introduced the 'Respect for Marriage Act', a measure that would repeal the 'Defense of Marriage Act' . I'll be posting more details on the press conference as updates to this post as they come in.
DOMA Repeal Bill to be introduced next week
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 987 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
At a busy legislative moment, foes of the Defense of Marriage Act are re-starting the campaign against it. Rep. Jerry Nadler is, I'm told, expected to introduce a bill that would repeal the legislation next week, and today Human Rights Campaign is delivering a survey of 50,000 gay and lesbian members and supporters to Congress, intended to convey the concrete harm the bill does them.
The survey results stress the mundane benefits of marriage -- first among them, Social Security survivor benefits. HRC also officially launched their DOMA Repeal push by delivering the surveys results of 50,000 LGBT people on DOMA to Congress. In their announcement, they also confirmed timing of the DOMA Repeal bill, to be introduced by Nadler.
The survey results stress the mundane benefits of marriage -- first among them, Social Security survivor benefits. HRC also officially launched their DOMA Repeal push by delivering the surveys results of 50,000 LGBT people on DOMA to Congress. In their announcement, they also confirmed timing of the DOMA Repeal bill, to be introduced by Nadler.
Feingold is an interesting choice since Wisconsin will have a limited domestic partnership law in place by October, but his constituents won't be able to benefit from the DOMA Repeal as it will only recognize marriage, but not civil union/domestic partnership. So I don't know how enthusiatic he'd be in pushing a DOMA repeal. Granted, it may allow people living in states where gay marriage is not legal to get married in states where it is and enjoy federal benefits.
Now, if it doesn't pass in this session (2009), I don't see how it can get picked up by the next session, where midterm election will be on everyone's mind and controversial topics are avoided at all costs.
But we should take comfort in the fact that progress is happening, albeit at a much lower pace than we'd like. That's the political reality....
Now, if it doesn't pass in this session (2009), I don't see how it can get picked up by the next session, where midterm election will be on everyone's mind and controversial topics are avoided at all costs.
But we should take comfort in the fact that progress is happening, albeit at a much lower pace than we'd like. That's the political reality....
Gay Immigration Rights DOMA Repeal Bill Will Be Introduced Soon
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1031 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
The partial DOMA repeal that I had hoped for is just not going to deliver. All political realities considered, we're not going to see a solution to the gay immigration debacle until President Obama's second term. ...I have serious doubts that this bill will pass. I am really disappointed that this is not the "DOMA Partial Repeal Plus" that the Advocate reported a while ago, which would only repeal Section 3 but recognize any "marriage like" arrangements registered with the local government.
This, although disappointing, is not unexpected. Recent news articles have reported that LGBT activists differ on how this legislation may look, with many worrying that the "DOMA Repeal Plus" bill would only serve as a counter argument for gay marriage.
This, although disappointing, is not unexpected. Recent news articles have reported that LGBT activists differ on how this legislation may look, with many worrying that the "DOMA Repeal Plus" bill would only serve as a counter argument for gay marriage.
Politico notes how times have changed: gay marriage support used to only come from politicians with no hopes of higher office, now it's a way to drum up support for a difficult reelection campaign. You can read Senator Dodd's letter here.
HRC reports: Senator Dodd also let us know that he was committed to ensuring that federal rights were portable, so that a same-sex couple married in Connecticut would receive the federal benefits of marriage even if they relocated to a state without marriage equality.
This confirms what the Advocate reported back in April. They listed Dodd as one of the several congressional leaders working on a partial DOMA repeal. We can only hope "soon" means ...
HRC reports: Senator Dodd also let us know that he was committed to ensuring that federal rights were portable, so that a same-sex couple married in Connecticut would receive the federal benefits of marriage even if they relocated to a state without marriage equality.
This confirms what the Advocate reported back in April. They listed Dodd as one of the several congressional leaders working on a partial DOMA repeal. We can only hope "soon" means ...
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
Bill Pits Immigration and Gay Marriage
Posted by
BrenDAL 1078 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
Reuniting Familes Act introduced again in House
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1079 days ago
(http://www.endlesswait.com)
Endless Wait...Are you suffering from USCIS? Your support and participation can help us in our fight for rights and fair laws for legal immigrants to the US. Please feel free to register as an author for Endlesswait by clicking on the invitation tab on the top.
Rep. Michael Honda of California introduced in the House on 06/04/2009 H.R.2709, Reuniting Family Act bill, cosponsored by 55 other Congressmen and women.
This bill is a comprehensive immigration package that includes allowing gay Americans to sponsor their partners for residency. But it really is a lot more than just reuniting families.
Rep. Michael Honda of California introduced in the House on 06/04/2009 H.R.2709, Reuniting Family Act bill, cosponsored by 55 other Congressmen and women.
This bill is a comprehensive immigration package that includes allowing gay Americans to sponsor their partners for residency. But it really is a lot more than just reuniting families.
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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.