Researcher says immigration laws a road block for gay couples

[kweerwolf]

Kathy and Marie live together. Eventually they would like to buy a house and settle in New England, but that’s not going happen anytime soon: Marie, who is from Argentina, is in this country on a work visa that will soon expire. She has to leave the United States within a year.

“A heterosexual couple wouldn’t have that problem,” says Nancy Naples, professor of sociology and women’s studies. “They would get married and apply for a green card.”

Since federal immigration laws do not recognize same-sex couples, Kathy and Marie will probably have to part ways, unless Marie stays here illegally.

The couple, like thousands of Americans with foreign-born, same-sex partners, face difficult choices. Immigrants who apply for U.S. residency based on family ties must be the parent, child, sibling or spouse of a U.S. citizen.

http://www.advance.uconn.edu/2005/051003/05100309.htm

[Siyahamba]

1. Kicked and nominated.

Thank you for posting this.

[MountainLaurel]

2. Know someone dealing with this

A good friend from college has been with his partner, a Ph.D. student from the Philippines, more than two years. He won't finish his degree for a couple more years, and he's hoping to get a work visa after that. But the uncertainty weighs on their minds and hearts often.

[Siyahamba]

3. In a similar situation

I'm in the US with my partner on a student visa, and jobs related to my degree are few and far between these days. Most people look forward to their graduation, but that date is a gauntlet hanging over our heads.