Body
WHEREAS, A driving goal under U.S. immigration law is family unification and the ability to reside legally in the U.S., engaging fully in our country's rich civil traditions and form of government; and,
WHEREAS, The City of Pittsburgh celebrates and respects all immigrant groups and all families, including those of same-sex gay and lesbian partners; and,
WHEREAS, Current U.S. immigration law discriminates against a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and his or her foreign-born partner by not allowing the sponsorship of the foreign partner for immigration benefits, although an opposite-sex couple would have the right to do so; and,
WHEREAS, This form of discrimination and unfair treatment under the law has devastating and life-altering consequences for same-sex partners; and,
WHEREAS, The inability to sponsor a same-sex partner leaves the couple with limited options, including allowing the foreign-born partner to remain undocumented or allow a visa to lapse, creating daily uncertainty and fear of deportation; and
WHEREAS, The limited legal options for same-sex partners to keep their relationship unified exacts an enormous emotional and financial toll, disproportionate to opposite-sex couples in bi-national relationships; and,
WHEREAS, Beyond the personal challenges to same-sex couples, the City of Pittsburgh and the entire country risk a great loss of talent should the foreign partner and/or the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident be forced to depart to keep the relationship whole; and,
WHEREAS, Currently pending in the United States Congress is the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1024/S.424), reintroduced on February 12, 2009, by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The purpose of this bill is "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 per...
Click here for full text