Comments on: Someday we’ll be together?

By: Guy in Columbia Heights

Guy in Columbia Heights — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:15:46 +0000

Ditto for me and my partner. He is Peruvian and pays taxes and has a Maryland drivers license. Still, we must wait and wait. All of this happened because he he arrived 15 years ago, he didn’t speak enough English to start residency paperwork. After one year, the window closes. We have been together 10 years ( TEN YEARS!!!) and have no hope of marriage until the Fed Govt changes its policy. I find it interesting that the IRS has no problem with illegals. They grant them tax ID numbers and smile and take their money. One eye of the government is open, and one is shut.

By: Another Guy In This Situation

Another Guy In This Situation — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:50:16 +0000

I am living in fear. I am always asking, “Maybe someday we’ll be separated?”

My partner is Colombian and applied for a green card back in 2003 through a crooked attorney who took his money and lied to him about the process and about his application that may have never been submitted, all this while he was still here legally on a visa and WAS eligible to apply.

Now, my partner of six years is living in fear, as am I, an American citizen, because we have no idea what might happen. We pray for justice, knowing that the more zealous anti-immigrant (not to mention anti-gay) elements in this country are practically frothing at the mouth to make examples of us, who just want to live our lives together.

My partner is well-educated, self-sufficient, and a business owner. I am an American citizen who has no legal right to make sure he doesn’t face deportation and that we don’t face separation.

If it happens, I feel my country will have betrayed me.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:11:45 +0000

We need to end all immigration discrimination. In addition to discriminating against gays and in favor of heterosexuals, US policies and practices have always discriminated against some nationalities and in favor of others. For example, those from Asia, Africa and Europe face strict enforcement on entry by air giving huge advantages to those groups who can more easily sneak across our land borders. This discriminates on an ethnic and racial basis. America needs to apply “do onto others,” “all men are created equal,” and “equal protection of the laws” to our immigration policy. It is absurd to discriminate against immigrants because they are from the wrong places or because they a gay, but then tell them they must not discriminate once they become citizens. If all men are created equal and deserve equal protection of our laws, so do all immigrants.

By: Immigration Equality Blog » After the March, More Voices for Inclusive Reform

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:32:48 +0000

[...] Washington, D.C. resident tells his story – as the American half of a gay, binational couple – to reporter Chris Johnson at D.C. [...]

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:44:14 +0000

I know this story only too well. My partner and I (I am from the UK) are living this same nightmare. Fortunately for me, I have a US work sponsor – but, it is like a prison sentence – If the company goes under – I would be forced to leave the country. Thankfully the UK is far more progressive than the US and recognizing same-sex immigration policy.

Reports say there are 36,000 bi-national couples…I think this number is far greater. The world is becoming a smaller place, thanks in part to the internet.

I am hopeful and looking forward to the day when my partner and I can file papers with our immigration attorney’s that allow us the basic civil rights straight couples have – and not have this constant headache and worry…our lives are in a constant state of temporary flux…and have been that way for years.

By: Mark Delicio

Mark Delicio — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:47:43 +0000

I am currently in the throes of figuring out the most expeditious way of leaving the US to be reunited with my same-sex spouse. We are legally married, but because of the actions of a single BCP agent at O’Hare, he was denied entry to the US late last year. There is no appeals process and to simply apply for a new kind of Visa is arduous. I commend Steve Ralls and IE for fighting the good fight. He has been helpful to me personally and at some point I hope to be reunited in my home country with my spouse. In the meantime, if I have to abandon my home in order to be together, so be it.