Senator Leahy Files Immigration Amendments on Behalf of Same-Sex Couples

Senator Patrick Leahy

On Tuesday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) filed two amendments to the immigration reform bill that would help ensure that LGBT binational families, including many with one or both partners living with HIV, could remain together. One of the amendments is the Uniting American Families Act, which AIDS United supports. The second amendment would provide equal protection to lawfully married bi-national same sex couples that other spouses receive under existing immigration law. The immigration bill is likely to take several weeks to be marked up in Congress and a decision will then be made about offering these amendments. Immigration Equality, an organization that works on behalf of bi-national same-sex couples has asked for calls to the Senate. AIDS United has long supported ending discrimination against LGBT couples in immigration, particularly as individuals in such couples are often caregivers for their partners with HIV.

A vote could be held on the amendments at any time. Immigration Equality's action alert and more information can be found here.

The two amendments proposed by the Senator can be found by clicking here and here.