Uniting American Families Act Advances

My partner is American and I'm British and we have been trying for 12 years to live together in The USA but can't, even after having a civil union in the Uk. This is Physically, emotionally & financially draining. Amending the Immigration & Nationality Act will bring America into a community of 19 nations with same legal tradition and not discriminating against same-sex families for immigration purposes, keep families together. It has been proven as very successful in the UK & countries such as Australia, Canada & South Africa. The divide between binational couples has gone on for far too long, leaving upto 40 thousand binational same-sex couples and their families separated, or living in exile because of the current inequality in the immigration system, caused by the Bush Administration. It's time for change and equality now! Check-out FaceBook and share the link for '1 million people in support of the passing of the Uniting American Families Act'

I've been with my boyfriend for 12 years now and living in the US, he is an "illegal" constantly living to avoid the radar, I hope and pray that this bill is passed so we can start living a "normal" life, I wouldn't know what to do if he was taken away from me. I just don't get it why America would be so mean as to break up a family and take away someone you love. I just don't get it.

It's about time! My husband, an Italian national, and I married at midnight in Cambridge City Hall in Massachusetts on the eve of marriage equality back in 2004. Despite a marriage certificate, he couldn't apply for a green card (unlike a binational heterosexual pair of friends who married a week earlier) and we shortly thereafter left the US for the UK. Just celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary last month here in London, the movement to pass the UAFA would be a welcome and belated wedding present! Although I voted for him, Pres O has been a bit silent about these issues which I hope is only a temporary blip. It would be nice to return to the country of one's birth but we will always be thankful and grateful that the UK has been and continues to be so openly tolerant towards all of its citizens - gay and straight. You really begin to see and appreciate how far other advanced democracies have progressed and eclipsed the US in treating all its citizens equal.

Search for my cause on Facebook Causes, Project Greencard, for up-to-date information about how you can support the passage of the UAFA and enlist friends and families to lend a hand. Immigration Equality is working diligently to get UAFA passed, but we need every single person who supports this bill to call and write to their Senators, to let them know this matters. Senate Hotline is 202-224-3121. Thanks for standing up for equal rights for all. Together we can make a difference!

Although a long-way from passing U.A.F.A. - the Hearing bring some hope to all of us whose lives remains in suspended animation, as we are unable to make long-term plans with our loves ones. My family and I live in exile in Zurich, Switzerland. My partner is from Mexico. Switzerland granted our family ( 2 of us, and 3 children ) immigration status and work permits. There was NO issue. About 20 other countries have similar inclusive laws which recognize the diversity of families. Brazil and South Africa are among them ! It is not a question of "gay marriage" or "special rights" - it is a question of "protecting American Families" and "fairness" - both deep-rooted American values. We are hoping U.A.F.A. (S.424 & HR.1024) pass. My children have been away from their friends and families for the past 6 years - grandparents, uncles and aunts. Please - write your Senators and House Representative - ask them to co-sponsor U.A.F.A !

There are 102 co-sponsors in the House

Laurent- the bill allows immigration sponsorship for "spouses or permanent partners" in relationships "not otherwise cognizable by the Federal government." Since DOMA prohibits recognition of same-gender marriages, this last phrase "not otherwise cognizable" is needed to get around it. All the bill does is add "or permanent partner" in each place where "spouse" appears in the Family Reunification portion of US Immigration Law. It has no effect at all on the Marriage Equality debate, but does correct a glaring inequity in our immigration laws. Hats off to Gerald Nadler of New York, who first introduced this bill in 2002. It can't come soon enough as far as I'm concerned. My lover and I have been separated four years already by US immigration policy.

As the federal government doesn't recognize gay relationships, does this bill even correct this situation for LGBT relationships. If it does then it is committing the federal government to acknowledging foreign marriages, DOMA already says that they cannot acknowledge state marriages. Does it specifically mention the LGBT community or are you just assuming this is the case. My partner who is an American citizen, our relationship is only recognised by two states, California and NY, and then only after we clear customs, we have an advantage as we do not fly commercial and are precleared in Canada, so arrive still married. As we are both early retirees working is not a problem even though he has spousal rights in Canada so could work if he so wished, I on the other hand can only stay in the states for six months at a time without applying for a visa.

Thank God. Finally, there will be a hearing. But I am sure we still have a long way to go to pass the bill. But it is good that we will have the first step. The folks at Immigration Equality did a wonderful job. Kudos to you all!!

This is the best news I have read in a long time. My wonderful partner was forced to leave to his home country last Novemeber. All attempets to get a visa have failed at great monatary costs to us I might add. To bad this is part of a larger bill, it should be a stand alone bill. But at least this is a step in the correct direction. How do I help support this bill? How best do I stay up today with the progress of the bill?