Uniting American Families Act

The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, USBill|110|H.R.|2221, USBill|110|S.|1328) 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. [USBill|110|H.R.|2221] [USBill|110|S.|1328]

The UAFA was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on May 8, 2007 by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). [Representative Jerrold Nadler (May 8, 2007). [http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny08_nadler/NadLeahyUAFA050807.html Congressman Nadler and Senator Leahy Fight for LGBT Immigration Equality - Uniting American Families Act Would Allow Americans to Sponsor "Permanent Partners."] Press Release.] There are currently 118 Cosponsors of this bill in the United States House of Representatives. [U.S. House. 110th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Cosponsors.]

The UAFA was introduced in the United States Senate on May 8, 2007 by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). [Senator Patrick Leahy (May 8, 2007). [http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200705/050807a.html Leahy, Nadler Introduce Immigration Equality Bill - Uniting American Families Act Would Allow Americans To Sponsor "Permanent Partners."] Press Release.] There are currently 18 Cosponsors of this bill in the United States Senate. [U.S. Senate. 110th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Cosponsors.]

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 individuals intend a lifelong commitment;

:(B) is financially interdependent with that other individual;

:(C) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, any individual 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 2 permanent partners. [U.S. House. 110th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Text of Legislation, Sec. 2.] [U.S. Senate. 110th Congress, 1st Session. op. cit., see Text of Legislation, Sec. 2.]

History of the Act

References

External links

* [http://uafa.us Support Uniting American Families Act] Developing website for Supporting the Uniting American Families Act
* [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221: H.R. 2221] the House Bill Summary & Status at the Library of Congress' "Thomas" website
* [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328: S. 1328] the Senate Bill Summary & Status at the Library of Congress' "Thomas" website
* [http://immigrationequality.org/template.php?pageid=49 Immigration Equality]
* [http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=13582 People For The American Way]
* [http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issue_immigration_uafa National Center for Lesbian Rights]
* [http://www.out4immigration.org/ 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.
* [http://www.pflag.org/Immigration.immigration.0.html PFLAG]
* [http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/6985.htm Human Rights Campaign]
* [http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/lgbt/uaf_act.htm Human Rights Watch]
* [http://www.maplepalmmovie.com./ Website of the dramatic indie movie "Maple Palm" about the fictional plight of a same-sex binational couple in the U.S.]
* [http://www.throughthickandthin.net/ Website of "Through Thick and Thin", a documentary about the immigration struggles of gay and lesbian couples in America]
* [http://imeq.us IMEQ http://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.