“Lawmakers on Thursday reintroduced legislation in Congress that would allow a foreign national’s domestic partner in the United States to sponsor their immigration to the country. The bill, known as the Uniting American Families Act, was introduced in the House by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Versions of the bills have been introduced in each session of Congress since 2000, when the legislation was known as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act…Nadler said there’s a “fair chance” the legislation could pass this session. He said one possibility for passing the bill would be to fold it into a larger immigration omnibus bill.” [Washington Blade]
Bill That Allows Gay Spouses to Sponsor Their Partner’s Immigration Reintroduced
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michael
4 years ago, my then partner, was offered a position with the company he was consulting with but with the contingency of moving to Vancouver he told them that only if I could come as well. They were amazed that he even thought he had to ask. Of course we being American assume nothing when it comes to gay rights, being that we don’t have any in the U.S., even the state we originally hail from, Tennessee, nor the city of Nashville has any. Both of us were given permanent resident status within a year and now we are married. Our former home, Tennessee, decided to codify bigotry into their state constitution and make sure the right to marry would never happen. After 4 years here I cannot imagine ever returning to the states under its present system. After living in a country that is as free for my spouse and I as it is for everyone else has had a much bigger effect that I ever thought it would. Here we live with dignity. When we were first here, straight folks would say things like, ” So, when you guys going to get married?” Or ask us if we already were. Back in the states people just referred to our relationship as “friends”. Crap like “what are you and your “friend” doing for Christmas?”, etc. etc. Sure, there are those here who still do not approve of it but its different, they are usually looked upon the way Americans look at klansmen and Neo-nazi’s. They are the nut cases, not we gay folks. I love Canada because Canada has loved me and I only hope America will someday. But until then, I would not ever consider ever moving back.
Robert, NYC
@michael:
Michael I thoroughly agree. The US constantly chants the mantra…”greatest nation on earth”. How can that be when millions of its gay citizens are denied full equality and civil rights as everybody else? Canada, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Norway, S. Africa, soon Sweden and to some extent the UK, all are light years ahead of us on gay rights. If we’re that great, why aren’t we the leader on equality? Of course, the majority of straights think differently because they’re not affected by discrimination and take their rights for granted, but until all 50 states grant fully equality to their gay citizens, we’ll never be #1. To think, we now have 30 states that ban same-sex marriage…how on earth will we ever get around that? No amount of federal legislation will ever change unless the Supreme Court intervenes, and I don’t see that happening in our lifetime. Sad!
Sebbe
This is awesome!!!
@Michael – anyone who believes the US is “the” greatest nation on earth in any sense but the biggest military spender is living in a dream world. I’m sure those “real americans” believe that, but that’s because they have never traveled around the world. There are very few (and fewer and fewer) things that the U.S. is first at.
America is presently living on its legacy of its past and hopefully is finally waking up and ready to fight (no literally) for its place in the world again.
michael
Well there is no doubt that the U.S. is a mess and its not getting any better it seems.
There is a lot of hope from other countries including Canada that Obama will pull through and help set America on a better course. But when you have Wall St, investment executives wishing they had not taken gov. funds because they might be forced to earn their salaries and be held accountable, it shows the level of moral bankruptcy America rests upon. I am a firm believer that the outer world reflects the inner world. Because of America’s human rights violations, unethical and greedy business practices, oppressive religious practices and the average Americans ability to condone, justify and even encourage such practices, and lets not get into how Americans will stand behind a church that wants to oppress gay people yet remain almost silent when same church is found to have murdered the souls of children through rape and the hiding of such practices. So America is paying the price. Its just Karma. Yes, many good people are suffering because of this but I question the fundamental goodness of most Americans. I think most Americans are willing to sell out anything and anybody as long as it preserves their 3000 square foot houses, 2 SUV’s and tacky shopping trips to Wally World. Hopefully in the end I will be proven wrong about “my people”. But I am not holding my breath.
Robert, NYC
@michael:
Michael, once again, I find myself in total agreement with you. I don’t think much will change. American’s golden era is long over. I think Europe will take over the reins if it hasn’t already on equality issues, so far ahead of us. There is NO excuse why we’re so far behind, absolutely none. I think American LGBT people will win via economics. Since most Dems and all republicans haven’t quite grasped the economic advantages in allowing same-sex marriage, they’ll suffer the consequences in losing sorely needed revenue in 48 of the states’ coffers while Connecticut, Massachusetts and Canada will reap the incentives and benefits of our economic power. It was estimated that NY state alone would stand to gain at least $220 million annually if same-sex marriage was in place.
dfrw
If this legislation passes and the President signs the bill, it would be a step in the right direction. Yet, America still has a long way to go and it will only go along kicking and screaming.
dennis
I totally agreed with Robert, NYC. It’s because I can’t stay with my partner in US. We moved to Canada, we need to spend money to buy a new home there, also moved the money for the living costs, and also need to pay double tax to Canada and US. The living costs in Canada is higher than in US. It will be great if my partner and I stay in US, we can spend the money in US to stimulate the economy.