House Democrats Prepare To “Dig In” On Protections For LGBT Immigrants

Ianus · 01-29-2013, 11:31 PM

I have to say this is definitely one aspect of reform that will be very difficult to negotiate amongst the 2 parties.

Quote:

WASHINGTON — Invigorated by President Barack Obama's proposal Tuesday to grant equal immigration privileges to same-sex couples as part of an immigration reform package, some congressional Democrats are preparing to push for such a provision to be added to the bipartisan Senate framework unveiled Monday.

"I think that, in general, the Democrats are going to fight very hard for that inclusion in the comprehensive immigration reform act," Rep. Mike Honda, a California Democrat who has championed immigration reform inclusive of LGBT protections, said in an interview with BuzzFeed.

Republicans have already begun to dismiss the issue as a nonstarter: Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, among the Senate's Gang of Eight on immigration, said sarcastically of the idea, "Yeah, I mean, why don't we just put taxpayer funded abortion in there and round it out?"

It could nevertheless enjoy some prominence, Honda said, because, for one, "the complexion of congress is changing" and there are a greater number of LGBT lawmakers than ever before — including the first openly gay senator, Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

But this particular facet of immigration reform might have garnered scarce attention if not for the president's public support, building off the theme of legal equality in his inaugural address — which has already begun to embolden House Democrats for a fight.

"I think it sets up the parameters for the debate," Honda said.

The president's stance will also grant House Democrats, perhaps more so than their Senate counterparts, a convenient excuse to pursue the issue further.

"The fact that this is the White House position will make House Democrats dig in more than if Obama embraced the Schumer/McCain package and basically told us fall in line," a House Democratic aide said.

After the president delivered his immigration speech in Nevada on Tuesday, in which he unveiled the tenets of his proposal, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi applauded the president's priorities — and paid explicit lip service to immigration reform that would include LGBT couples.

"His proposal seeks to keep LGBT couples together and ensures we attract the best and the brightest in science, technology, engineering, and math to our country," Pelosi said. In the past, Pelosi has also expressed support for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus statement of principles, which includes protections for LGBT immigrants.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid did not mention the issue in his own statement praising the president.

Other Democratic senators were not so quiet, including Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chair of the judiciary committee, through which immigration legislation will need to pass. Leahy celebrated multiple parts of the bill, including "the assurance that every family, including binational gay and lesbian spouses, receives equal treatment under the law."

"True reform must address all these issues," Leahy added.

In 2011, Leahy sponsored the Uniting American Families Act in the Senate, which would have done what the president now wants to do. The House version, which was sponsored by Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, received support from more than 140 other lawmakers.

Neither bill came to a vote, but both measures unveiled a strong enough stable of support in each chamber for such a debate.

The House Democratic aide, explaining why this aspect of immigration reform might take hold among Democrats, noted, "Most of them...are on board with the Uniting American Families Act, which is a huge priority for the LGBT community, and this is really just an extension of that."

But it's early yet. Discussions about LGBT protections and other provisions in an immigration reform package will not take place in earnest until legislation has been crafted.

Sonawabich · 01-29-2013, 11:39 PM

What is there to protect about?

You either satisfy the req's and be covered under proposed CIR plans or you don't

Pluribus · 01-30-2013, 04:06 AM

Why jam same-sex marriages into the CIR? I thought that was another ball game.

hgr1915 · 04:00 PM

Just when i thought we might finelly see an end to this nightmare, they do this to us.

No offence gay dreamers, but the last thing i care about is same sex marrige.

immigration truth · 01-30-2013, 08:40 AM

My guess is that if the republicans are so opposed to this one provision, then the democrats honestly must drop it. I have respect for all the same sex dreamers, but quite honestly, the majority should not lose the chance of a lifetime for a small minority.

Ianus · 12:03 PM

I agree with the general statements made.The Supreme Court I believe would be looking at the constitutional issues of DOMA and thus I think House Democrats should not push this as an issue.

This is a poison pill to any immigration bill.I think other issues that could unwrap reform potentially to watch out for ;

-placing time limits on a guest worker program

-removal of a path to citizenship

-removal of Border security first elements

chocolatedrop · 01-30-2013, 01:17 PM

Well if this is a deal breaker ,then more than likely they want an excuse to sink this package anyway. I would love for my life partner of 7 yrs to sponsor me..if us dreamers don't get fast tracked to a GC ..then I'm still stuck in the US..we can't leave the US for anything ..I would love to visit back home,the only way is by plane or ship..
No one understands until you are in my shoes..
My partner makes great money,decent benefits,pension plan ,all of which I do not qualify for.All we want is to be able to take a nice cruise ..Who knows what the requirements will be for us dreamers when this is all said and done..for all who have aged out by being 31,maybe they are committed to someone..heck ..I know I wouldn't want to go to the back of the line if there was another way..cause u know that line will be a 13-20 yr wait...so what does that make me 44-51yrs old before I can leave..

dreamer-michigan · 01-30-2013, 01:40 PM

This bill shouldn't have same sex issues in it. I personally don't mind if there is same sex marriage but that should be a different bill. That is different debate and republican have a right to dismiss it on this bill, but they should discuss it separately on different bill.
No offense to gay dreamers but u must admit that this issue is a deferent debate than immigration

chocolatedrop · 01-30-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamer-michigan

This bill shouldn't have same sex issues in it. I personally don't mind if there is same sex marriage but that should be a different bill. That is different debate and republican have a right to dismiss it on this bill, but they should discuss it separately on different bill.
No offense to gay dreamers but u must admit that this issue is a deferent debate than immigration

Why because I'm gay and my partner isn't allowed to sponsor me..so let's say that DOMA is struck down..now with immigration being revamped and there isn't a clause for same sex couples,I guess we are SOL then?
Let's face it if it isn't included in the language,it will not be honored.

choukette · 01-30-2013, 02:18 PM

I think for right now the inclusion of same sex couple sponsorship shouldn't be discussed in this matter cause those already here can apply through CIR without the need of partner sponsorship. This issue should be addressed in the future when the country recognizes same sex marriage in the constitution and all civil rights given to traditional marriage is also given to them. It's a good discussion but lets face it, how many states actually recognizes gay marriage? A state like Texas or Georgia could stop those that get green card through their gay spouse from obtaining a simple ID and there's nothing the government can do about it cause the marriage isn't recognized/legal in those particular States.

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House Democrats Prepare To “Dig In” On Protections For LGBT Immigrants