Uniting American Families Act

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The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 1024, S. 424) is a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.^[1][2]

The UAFA was introduced during the 111th Congress, to the United States House of Representatives on February 12, 2009, by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).^[3] There are currently 118 cosponsors of this bill in the United States House of Representatives.^[4]

The full text of the UAFA, further expanded to provide rights to the children or step-children of the foreign-born partner, is included as Title II of the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709), an immigration reform bill, introduced in the United States House of Representatives on June 4, 2009, by California Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA).^[5][6]

The UAFA was introduced in the United States Senate on February 12, 2009, by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT).^[7] There are currently 23 cosponsors of this bill in the United States Senate.^[8]

[edit] Definitions of Permanent Partner and Permanent Partnership

The UAFA defines Permanent Partner and Permanent Partnership as follows:

The term "permanent partner" means an individual 18 years of age or older who--

(A) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both parties intend a lifelong commitment;

(B) is financially interdependent with that other individual;

(C) is not married to or in a permanent partnership with anyone other than that other individual;

(D) is unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and

(E) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual.

The term "permanent partnership" means the relationship that exists between two permanent partners.^[9][10]

[edit] Legislative History

[edit] References

1. ^ H.R. 1024
2. ^ S. 424
3. ^ Representative Jerrold Nadler (February 12, 2009). Rep. Nadler Continues Fight for LGBT Immigrant Rights - Uniting American Families Act Would Allow Americans to Sponsor Permanent Partners Press Release.
4. ^ U.S. House. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Cosponsors.
5. ^ Reuniting Families Act, Title II - Uniting American Families Act.
6. ^ H.R. 2709
7. ^ Senator Patrick Leahy (February 12, 2009). Leahy Introduces Bill To Provide Equality Under Immigration Law Press Release.
8. ^ U.S. Senate. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Cosponsors.
9. ^ U.S. House. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Text of Legislation, Sec. 2.
10. ^ U.S. Senate. 111th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Text of Legislation, Sec. 2.
11. ^ "NOTICE OF COMMITTEE HEARING "The Uniting American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law"". http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=3876. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 

[edit] External links

• H.R. 1024 the House Bill Summary & Status at the Library of Congress' "Thomas" website
• S. 424 the Senate Bill Summary & Status at the Library of Congress' "Thomas" website
• Immigration Equality
• National Center for Lesbian Rights
• Out4Immigration Out4Immigration addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of U.S. immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV+ people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network.
• Love Exiles Love Exiles was founded by US citizens that were forced to choose between their love and their country, a choice no citizen should ever have to make. The need to choose comes as a result of US immigration law that discriminates against gays and lesbians. Love Exiles have virtual communities and activist centers in the Netherlands, Canada, the UK, Spain, Australia and Germany.
• Human Rights Campaign
• Human Rights Watch
• Website of "Through Thick and Thin", a documentary about the immigration struggles of gay and lesbian couples in America
• Uniting American Families, Website advocating passage of UAFA and featuring true stories of binational same-sex couples who are adversely affected by the status quo
• imeQ.us℠ Gay Immigration Equality Rights 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 (USA) who seek immigration equality or equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality rights and policy.
• Video of UAFA Senate hearings (June 3, 2009)
• Change.org's LGBT Immigration Rights' Page
• Change.org's LGBT Immigration Rights' Action Page - Every week, 5 congress representatives (House and / or Senate) will be contacted to urge them to support / cosponsor the Uniting American Families Act. You can join the weekly action here.