Immigration bill won’t help gay, lesbian couples

Immigration bill won’t help gay, lesbian couples

By Louis Weisberg
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press

National GLBT rights groups praised the Senate version of an immigration bill last week, despite the legislation’s failure to grant legal status to the undocumented partners of gay and lesbian U.S. citizens.

“The (Senate) bill is good news for America,” said Immigration Equality executive director Rachel B. Tiven, “but lesbian and gay families are still cruelly discriminated against under immigration law, despite Congress’ promise to value families.”

Matt Forman, director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said the Senate measure is a welcome alternative to a bill passed by the House last year that would make it a felony to aid illegal immigrants. The House version is so far-reaching that it would erect fences along one-third of the Mexican border and criminalize charitable groups that provide food and shelter to illegal aliens.

In contrast, the Senate bill includes an amendment protecting groups and individuals from being prosecuted for knowingly or unknowingly assisting illegal immigrants. It would also provide visas to undocumented workers that would enable them to work for up to six years. After that, they would become eligible to apply for permanent residency.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation, crafted by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), by a 12 6 vote, with all committee Democrats voting in favor. It next goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Since same-sex couples cannot legally marry, GLBT leaders say the House bill would be particularly unfair to gays and lesbians who are in relationships with undocumented immigrants or people in the country on expired visas. “Nobody should be forced to choose between the person they love and breaking the law,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. “The House version would force a same-sex partner to turn in their loved one or risk criminal penalties. American families are being torn apart under the current structure and there is absolutely no reason to increase their burden.”

GOP House leaders reacted quickly and harshly last week against the Senate bill, saying it would leave the nation’s borders more vulnerable to terrorists. Washington pundits predicted an ugly showdown over the issue that could cost Republicans the political inroads they’ve made among conservative Hispanic voters under President Bush. The White House favors the Senate bill.

Thousands of opponents of the House bill protested in the streets of Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta and other cities last week. A single demonstration in Phoenix drew over 20,000 participants, making it one of the largest ever there, according to local officials.

Several civic groups are organizing the Day Without Immigrants, a work stoppage and boycott on April 10 to protest the House bill. Supporters are asked to dress in white, wear white ribbons, boycott public transportation, stay home from work and make no purchases on that day.

Orgullo en Accion, a local group of GLBT Latino/as working for immigrant rights, is urging the larger GLBT community to unite with them in supporting the boycott. “We believe this proposed (House) legislation is racist, misguided, and insulting to the people who have contributed so much to this country,” the group said in a prepared statement. “We at Orgullo En Accion support the Day Without Immigrants boycott because we both believe in and value the rights and lives of immigrants.”