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Gay Immigration Bill Gets Boost From Mexican Americans
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau Chief
Posted: May 22, 2003 6:53 p.m. ET
(Washington, D.C.) Legislation to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding the term permanent partner has received a ringing endorsement from one of the country's largest Mexican-American political organizations.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund has announced its support for the Permanent Partners Immigration Act.
While close to 65% of all US immigration is family based, US citizens and permanent residents with same-sex partners cannot sponsor their foreign-born partner for immigration benefits no matter the length or level of commitment of the relationship.
First introduced in February of 2000, the bill, presented by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) garnered nearly 60 cosponsors in its first year, as well as the support of the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force (LGIRTF), the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the ACLU, and many other human rights groups. The PPIA currently has 105 cosponsors in the House of Representatives
"MALDEF has been a long-time supporter of civil rights for the gay and lesbian community. Our support of the Permanent Partners Immigration Act is just another example of our ongoing support in this area of civil rights," said Marisa Demeo, Regional Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
"There are Latino and non-Latino citizens and permanent residents, who happen to be gay or lesbian, who deserve to be treated the same under our immigration laws as Latino and non-Latino citizens and permanent residents who happen to be straight. Ultimately, this is simply a question of fairness that should be addressed in our immigration laws."
15 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and South Africa currently recognize lesbian and gay relationships for immigration purposes.
365Gay.com Ltd 2003