Will gay couples be left out of immigration reform?

Will immigration reform leave out binational gay couples?


Immigration reform: binational gay couples fear they'll be left out
From Episcopal News Service

When the District of Columbia legalized gay marriage earlier this year, Erwin de Leon and the Rev. John Beddingfield tied the knot "knowing full well it's very limited," de Leon said during a recent telephone interview.

The federal government doesn't recognize gay marriage. So when his visa expires next year de Leon, 44, a doctoral student from the Philippines, cannot start the process of becoming a citizen, an option available to spouses of heterosexual U.S. citizens.

"Immigration reform is not just one issue, it's complicated," de Leon said. "My mother, a straight woman, emigrated long after I did. She married my step-dad and got a green card in less than a year. If same-sex marriages were recognized federally this would be a nonissue. Just like anybody else, John would be able to sponsor me."

Posted on October 13, 2010 10:30 AM | |
Comments (1)

Erwin de Leon was interim coordinator of diocesan coordinators for ER-D.

Posted by Ann Fontaine [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 13, 2010 11:17 AM

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