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The State of California Passes Historic Resolution in Support of UAFA Same-Sex Couples Rights to Immigration equality
EqualityCaliforn
ia
SACRAMENTO, June 28, 2010 – Today the State Senate passed a resolution with a 23-12 vote that included bipartisan support, endorsing a federal law that would permit U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a same-sex partner for immigration. The resolution, AJR 15, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the United States Congress pass and President Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Moving testimony was provided by Gina Caprio, Melanie Nathan and Amos Lim in the California State Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees, highlighting their personal stories and the hardship suffered by couples in same sex relationships who have been deprived of immigration equality.
“Our broken immigration system unfairly discriminates against thousands of families headed by same-sex couples by keeping them apart,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. “It is in the hands of Congress and President Obama to end this grave injustice. We call on them to pass and sign into law the Uniting American Families Act, thus ensuring that all families, regardless of sexual orientation, enjoy the security and stability that all families deserve.”
Under current federal law, U.S. citizens and permanent residents can file visa petitions on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse. The UAFA, introduced by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), would amend the nation’s Immigration and Nationality Act by adding same-sex “permanent partners” to the list of family members for whom a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can petition. The bill defines a “permanent partner” as an adult who is in a committed, intimate, financially interdependent relationship with another adult in “which both parties intend a lifelong commitment.”
“Thousands of American families and committed same-sex couples are denied basic rights and legal protections, including the ability to petition for a partner to immigrate to the U.S.,” said Assembly member De León. “They live in legal limbo and are torn apart by outdated immigration policies. In ensuring a true state of equality, Congress must take immediate steps to reunite and protect all families once and for all.”
According to the U.S. Census, approximately 35,000 bi-national same-sex couples currently live in the United States. At least 16 other nations already have immigration policies allowing the sponsorship of same-sex partners, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
There are currently 115 co-sponsors of the UAFA in the U.S. House of Representatives and 21 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate. Endorsed by the State Assembly in September of last year, the resolution now awaits a procedural concurrent vote in the Assembly.
For more information about EQCA’s legislation, visit www.eqca.org/legislation.
Out4Immigration on their FB Page “State of California formally endorses immigration rights for same-sex couples! Thanks to EQCA and O4I members Amos Lim, Gina Caprio, Melanie Nathan, Shirley Tan and everyone else who helped our nation’s most populous state say “no” to immigration discrimination.”
Picture Gina Caprio, Amos Lim, Rep. Kevin De Leon, Melanie Nathan
Posted by Senior Editor, Lez Get Real.
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7 Responses to The State of California Passes Historic Resolution in Support of UAFA Same-Sex Couples Rights to Immigration equality
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James
July 2, 2010 at 12:08 am
So, what would it really take to pass the UAFA? Its ridiculous that we are still having to fight over this very basic right for gay people. How long do you predict this will take to pass. I am getting so fed up with the length of time and opposition to the basic rights of the GLBT community. I thought the United States was sorry for the way they treated black people all those years ago. They can’t be that sorry if they are still treating minorities like dirt.
anne
July 7, 2010 at 4:34 pm
usa looks like germany during 1939-1945 using the same words against the gays and in europe we know what is means .
James
July 1, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I want to know the answer to the question Alien Student asked also. I am worried that the opposition to this bill will kill it, but am hopeful that everything will be fine. From the look of things it seems most lawmakers are agreeing that it should be passed, which it should. Many other countries have these kind of laws already intact to protect bi-national couples so there is not excuse not to pass it. The UK has had gay immigration rights since 2000, which is a whole decade ago people. I just hope it is passed soon and all this ridiculous opposition is shot down, as it should be.
Melanie Nathan
July 1, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Yes please see my answer to Alien Student and let me know if that helps
Alien Student
June 30, 2010 at 4:28 am
Awesome!! Sounds like good news…
Sorry for my ignorance, but how is this “state of CA passing the resolution” gonna help with the bill? I am not familiar with the whole process of passing a bill… if it dies in House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law / Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where it is right now, is the passage of this resolution going to help? Or it’s unrelated?
Melanie Nathan
July 1, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Its not going to help with the Bill. The State of California cannot make the Federal Government or Congress do anything and the law makers in California State Assembly and Senate are not the same people as those in D.C. in Congress which is the legislative body responsible for passing or rejecting UAFA. So it will not force it to get passed.
The importance of this news is that the California Legislative Body is telling the Federal Congress that it is asking them to recognize the importance of UAFA and making a statement that the STATE of California supports the UAFA and same sex immigration rights for LGBT couples.
This is a big deal because its like having a huge VOICE but that’s it. It may have influential.
We have many impediments still to the Bill.
Theresa
June 29, 2010 at 9:25 pm
That’s so awesome I can’t begin to express it! Now we need the next step and the next, until we can all have the same rights. Not special rights, but the same ones! I want to live with my girl, and not have to spend thousands to fly back and forth from Europe to see her!