BGLT Immigration - Resources and Information (America, sex, legislation, organization)

[Green Gaia]

ImmigrationEquality.org

Immigration Equality is a national organization fighting for equality under U.S. immigration law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive individuals. Founded in 1994 as the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force, we have grown to a membership of 10,000 people in cities all over the country. We are run by a Board of Directors and have full-time staff in our National Headquarters in New York. Immigration Equality is funded by donations from our members as well as generous support from private foundations

Out4Immigration.org

Out4Immigration Addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of U.S. immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV positive people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network

Out4Immigration championed the Uniting American Families Act during several Labor Day immigration rallies in California. A similar rally was scheduled to occur Sept. 7 in Washington, D.C.

Although not part of the proposed immigration reform package, UAFA has growing support in Congress.

In the last four months, 11 senators and House members joined the list of bill supporters. The legislation, lead by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), has 118 sponsors. Nearly all of the sponsors are Democrats.

http://washblade.com/2006/9-8/news/n...mmigration.cfm

Please urge your representatives to support the Uniting American Families Act and stop discrimination of BGLT binational couples.

[Faint]

Maize, I read over some of these links you posted. I'm still unclear on the details...is the U.S. Immigration actively denying citizenship to people with HIV?

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Faint

Maize, I read over some of these links you posted. I'm still unclear on the details...is the U.S. Immigration actively denying citizenship to people with HIV?

The general rule under U.S. immigration law is that people who are HIV-positive cannot obtain legal permanent residence. Some foreign nationals are eligible to apply for a waiver (exception) to this general rule. Asylees can apply for a waiver on humanitarian grounds. Resident applicants who have an immediate relative (opposite sex spouse, parent, or child) who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident may also be eligible to apply for a waiver.

For most LGBT foreign nationals, the most common way to obtain a “green card” is through an employer. Unless the applicant happens to have a qualifying immediate relative, his application will be denied if he tests HIV-positive. Likewise, foreign nationals who win the Diversity Visa Lottery cannot obtain residence in the U.S. if they test positive for HIV unless they have a relative which qualifies them to apply for an HIV waiver. For more information see The HIV Ban .

[michel]

Thank you for the links Amy; though I guess I can't do anything from this end...........

As an asside I read the '***** session' in the third link; some interesting points - though some of the responses (especially the racist one) could just as well come out of a hetero 'scenario'.

Do you think that maybe there is an element of 'reading too much into things'?

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by michel

As an asside I read the '***** session' in the third link; some interesting points - though some of the responses (especially the racist one) could just as well come out of a hetero 'scenario'.

Do you think that maybe there is an element of 'reading too much into things'?

I think that opinion piece you read has nothing to do with this subject.