Tag: Same sex couples and immigration

Filipino Same-Sex Couples Who Say ‘I Don’t’

While many Filipino same-sex couples support New York’s new marriage equality law, some are choosing not to marry–for immigration, economic, and personal reasons.

New York, Marriage Equality and Immigrants

New York’s new Marriage Equality law expands LGBT civil rights in the state, but it will not help lesbian and gay immigrants who hope to gain permanent residency by marrying American partners.

Gay Marriage Meets the Immigration Debate: A Bill Would Allow Sponsoring a Same-Sex Partner

By Valeria Fernández, FI2W contributor

Photo: Richard Settle/Flickr.

PHOENIX, Arizona — David used to be one of those people who say: “Get out of our country if you don’t belong here.” That was until he fell in love with an undocumented immigrant.

After seven years of living together, David, an American citizen, worries about his same-sex partner’s ability to remain in the country. Guille, 38, came to the U.S. over nine years ago from Colombia, and his tourist visa has expired.

While federal immigration laws allow heterosexual residents to sponsor their spouses to immigrate to the country, gay and lesbian couples are not afforded the same benefit.

“My rights are being denied because Guille is a ‘boy,’” said David, 48, who asked for both of their last names to be withheld because of his partner’s immigration status.

A bill introduced in Congress last February might open up new options for couples like David and Guille.

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