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 Bill Would Allow Gays To Sponsor Foreign
Partners
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 8, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
(Washington) Legislation was introduced in
Congress Tuesday that would allow Americans in a same-sex relationship to
sponsor their "permanent partners" for legal residency in the United
States, a right currently afforded only to opposite-sex couples under
immigration law.
The Uniting American Families Act was introduced
in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) (pictured) and in the Senate by Sen.
Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Nadler and Leahy are each chairs of the Judiciary
Committee in their respective house.
"Our bill recognizes that
American families come in all shapes and sizes," said Nadler.
"Our laws should work to keep
loving families together and not tear them apart. This is a matter of
basic fairness and compassion. I am proud to work with Senator Leahy on
this issue. We simply ask that gay and lesbian Americans in loving,
committed relationships receive the same treatment as everyone else," he
said.
Leahy said that the legislation
simply promotes that principle by providing all Americans the opportunity to be
with their loved ones.
"Our immigration laws treat
gays and lesbians in committed relationships as second-class citizens; this
injustice needs to change," Leahy said.
"It is the right thing to do
for the people involved, it is the sensible step to take in the interest of
having a fair and consistent policy, and I hope that Congress will act to help
demonstrate our Nation's commitment to equality under the law."
Because the U.S. does not legally
recognize same-sex couples and their children as families, many same-sex
bi-national couples are torn apart when one partner lives in the United States.
The Uniting American Families Act
would add the term "or permanent partner" to those sections of the
Immigration and Naturalization Act that apply to legally married couples.
"Permanent partner" is
described as an adult who is in a committed, intimate relationship with another
adult in "which both parties intend a lifelong commitment." The
legislation would afford equal immigration benefits to permanent partnerships -
but would also apply the same restrictions and enforcement standards.
For example, the two lawmakers said
in a statement, "if a person is found to have entered into a fraudulent
permanent partnership for the purposes of obtaining a visa for another person,
they will be subject to the same five year maximum imprisonment, or $250,000
maximum fine, or both, as a person who contracts a fraudulent marriage
would."
The bill also requires that
bi-national couples provide ample proof that they meet the definition of
"permanent partners." The bill has drawn considerable bipartisan
support.
The White House has not said if
President Bush would sign the bill if it passes. Last week Bush's advisers
said they would recommend vetoing a hate crimes bill that included protections
for gays.
At least 16 countries currently
allow residents to sponsor same-sex permanent partners for legal immigration,
including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Iceland, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and
the United Kingdom.
©365Gay.com 2007
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