Community Forum - LGBT Immigrants & US Law

Community Forum: The Fate of LGBT Immigrants and their Families under U.S. Immigration Law

In 2000, the U.S. Census, investigating household makeup, estimated that almost 36,000 binational same-sex couples are living together in the United States. These couples represent a mosaic of American diversity and their foreign-national partners come from almost every country in the world. Their relationships have no recognition in the U.S., and needless to say, no rights.

In a recent report by Human Rights Watch & Immigration Equality entitled Family, Unvalued: Discrimination, Denial and the Fate of Binational Same-Sex Couples under U.S. Law, couples told stories of abuse by immigration officials, and even deportation. They described the devastating impact not only on their partnerships but on their careers, homes, livelihoods, and children. This report will be used to push Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow gay and lesbian U.S. citizens with foreign partners to keep their families together.

Join us for a COMMUNITY FORUM event to raise awareness on this important issue:

Speakers:
Rachel Tiven, Immigration Equality
Scott Long, Human Rights Watch, report co-author
Noemi Calonje, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Marta Donayre, Love Sees No Borders
Belinda Ryan, Out 4 Immigration
Additional speakers to be announced