Same-sex couple rent by draconian immigration rules

Two of my friend, Lumi and Ian, are in trouble.

They've been together for over four years but now Ian faces deportation. He's a native of Hong Kong and after 10 years in the States his visa options are running out. Because they are gay they're marriage options are limited.

They are not the only ones in this situation. They're writing letters to both R and D senators asking for help with the Permanent Partnership Immigration Act.

If you'd like to help, an example letter is in the extended section. Make it your own and send it along.

The Honorable Senator Smith
Portland Metro Office
One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250
Portland, OR 97204
[okay, you may want to change that part]

March 16, 2005

Sponsor the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (PPIA)

Dear Senator Smith,

I am writing you today to ask you to become a lead sponsor of the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (PPIA) in the U.S. Senate.  The PPIA is a bill that seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding the term "permanent partner" where the word "spouse" currently appears.  

This bill will have a real positive impact on committed binational same-sex couple like my friends Ian and Lumi. The absence of it will tear their love and family apart.

My friends, Lumi and Ian, have been together for over four years. Lumi is a natural-born citizen of the U.S. from the state of Michigan. Ian is a native of Hong Kong. In summer of 2003 they solidified their union under the blessings of family and friends.

Though they are very happy together, a dark cloud looms. For the past 10 years, Ian maintains residence in the U.S. via a series of visas. These visas, being temporary in nature, put a time limit to their relationship together. If Ian doesn't scrap together some sort of visa arrangement soon, he will be deported out of the country and be separate from his loved one because he is, legally, an alien to the U.S.

As you may be aware, United States immigration law is based on the principle of "family reunification." Accordingly, it allows U. S. citizens to reunite with their parents, children, siblings and spouses every day by sponsoring these "family" members for immigration. The law, however, does not recognize lesbian and gay families for immigration purposes, nor does it grant this same sponsorship benefit to lesbian and gay U. S. citizens. There is no way that U. S. citizens can sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration on the basis of their relationships. Being a heterosexual person, this is not a problem I would ever need to face. Sadly, thousands of lesbian and gay binational couples are kept apart, torn apart or forced to live in fear of deportation.

It is because of my deep concern for my dear friends and the countless similar cases of other binational same-sex couples that I urge you to co-sponsor the Permanent Partnership Immigration Act.

Thank you for standing up to equality, love, and family.
[signed]