Queers and Immigration

[Greyson]

I came across this article in my morning reading today. In my previous post in this thread the same topic of Merit Based Immigration vs. Family Based Immigration was discussed.

This article speaks to a previous round of immigration reform over 40 years ago in both the USA and Canada. Canada's Immigration Policy favored Merit/Points based system; the USA Immigration Policy favored "Family" (traditional, heterosexual) Immigration Policy.

IMO as the law and Immigration Policy stands today in the USA Queer families have a greater opportunity for immigration to the USA then they would via current policy.

Again, if you are under educated, poor and queer, the circumstances are not in your favor. Do any of you have an opinion on USA Immigration Policy? Are you willing to talk about it here in this thread? Better yet, are you willing to do anything about current USA Immigration Policy for Queer people and/are all people?
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Canada comes to Silicon Valley to poach high-tech workers struggling with immigration problems

By Matt O'Brien

Posted: 05/17/2013 06:10:18 AM PDT



In the 1960s, Bloemraad said, both the U.S. and Canada dramatically reconfigured how they welcomed immigrants: America ended up with a system where two-thirds of immigrants now gain permanent residency through family connections, while Canada pioneered a points-based ranking that results where two-thirds of immigrants are chosen for their work skills.

The Senate plan would shift to a more Canadian approach in adopting a new "merit visa" to award permanent U.S. residency to the highest scorers in a points system favoring those who are young, highly educated, fluent in English and working in high-demand fields.


http://www.siliconvalley.com/news/ci...h-tech-workers

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Greyson

.

IMO as the law and Immigration Policy stands today in the USA Queer families have a greater opportunity for immigration to the USA then they would via current policy.

Again, if you are under educated, poor and queer, the circumstances are not in your favor. Do any of you have an opinion on USA Immigration Policy? Are you willing to talk about it here in this thread? Better yet, are you willing to do anything about current USA Immigration Policy for Queer people and/are all people?

http://www.siliconvalley.com/news/ci...h-tech-workers

I agree with you, I prefer (in theory) the family immigration policy.

I think the merit/points system that Canada and Australia operate is great for a small group of migrants who are highly skilled and/or educated but aren't wealthy enough to "buy" investor visas, or in specific job categories that are in high demand (nurses, etc). But the merit system is classist and it leaves an enormous gap in accessibility. I believe the best policies are as open, accessible and variable as possible.

Why can't we have both family immigration and a merit system as well as a system that is flexible enough to respond to the gaps and growth industry and the job market.

Well...you know...'why can't we' besides the right wing reactionaries who whip up a fury of fear and hatred and ignorance by spreading blatant lies about immigrants stealing our jobs and getting free houses and fancy cars and groceries and ivy league educations.

I've been a queer immigration activist and fundraiser for over a decade. And I've been watching the action alerts coming from Out4Immigration about the current immigration reform bill being negotiated, calling and emailing senators with sway, as requested. I can only *HOPE* (and hope hard) that the provision for LGBT couples is not used as a bargaining chip and tossed out of the bill.

I know that there is a much bigger population of migrants that need support; I hope the work I do helps them too; but right now my LGBT migrants and asylum seekers are my number one priority.

[Sparkle]

Worrisome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3313141.html

[Sparkle]

The provision same-sex couples has definitely be thrown out of the bill. It makes me very sad. And it means that even more is riding on DOMA being overturned by SCOTUS; and (hoping for the best outcome) when that happens it still means a very long wait for those couples who are currently suffering, most of whom have waited a very long time already. DOMA being overturned won't magically create new laws, it only opens the door for their creation.

I'm saddened and sickened that YET AGAIN our community is a pawn in the political machinations, and an easily disposable one at that.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3315674.html

[thedivahrrrself]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

The provision same-sex couples has definitely be thrown out of the bill. It makes me very sad. And it means that even more is riding on DOMA being overturned by SCOTUS; and (hoping for the best outcome) when that happens it still means a very long wait for those couples who are currently suffering, most of whom have waited a very long time already. DOMA being overturned won't magically create new laws, it only opens the door for their creation.

I'm saddened and sickened that YET AGAIN our community is a pawn in the political machinations, and an easily disposable one at that.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3315674.html

I am so disappointed with this bill. It feels like the health care bill all over again where most of the good stuff gets sold out early on.

I think most importantly, restoring due process to our deportation system and allowing a judge to review cases should not have been controversial.

Secondly queers were thrown out, which is stupid and a loss because the current policy of the State department was to treat partners as family in at least deportation cases, though not for initial immigration.

Brothers and sisters are no longer family in the eyes of Congress either.

The number of highly skilled visas was not addressed. We have 30 engineering job openings for every one American engineer, but we constantly send a flood of engineers home after their student visas expire.

I could gripe all day about this thing. The one positive thing I can say is that Democrats typically do incremental policy, so I hope this is something we will see evolve more in the near future.

And I am glad the kids get to go to college. It used to be so heartbreaking to tell young people they weren't eligible for an education here. I hope many lives will be improved by this opportunity.

[Greyson]

Immigration Bill Amendment Would Carve Out Benefits For Some Same-Sex Couples

By Annie-Rose Strasser on Jun 12, 2013 at 9:40 am

When the Gang of Eight’s immigration reform plan was considered before the Senate Judiciary Committee in May, LGBT advocates were heartbroken to watch as Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) withdrew an amendment from the bill that would haven given the same immigration rights to bi-national same-sex couples that are enjoyed by their straight counterparts. But now, the amendment is back.

Given the current Republican antipathy toward Leahy’s similar amendments in committee, however, (and its likely failure in the House, even if it passes the Senate), immigrant same-sex couples face a long road ahead.

http://thinkprogress.org/immigration...igration-bill/

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Greyson

NO MORE DOMA!!!

With DOMA being struck down this now means that legally married same-sex couples will now be afforded all Federal rights and protection. This would include Immigration law. Now legally married same-sex partners can immigrate to this country if they choose to. Honestly, I did lose hope in my country, USA about 10 years ago. Some of that belief was restored today.

After listening to more legal analysis this morning I am unsure if Immigration status must be recognized in every state. Some say it will depend upon the state. Immigration comes under Federal law. We know states can pass immigration laws and policies but many times they are struck down because Immigration is under Federal purview.

But, this is not the first time our courts make decisions that seem opposed to the constitution. DOMA was a perfect example. Until DOMA the Federal government left it up to the States to decide matters of marriage and divorce. Historically it came under "States Rights." Also, States would honor, recognize all marriages from any state and then afford legal status to their union when in a state that did not perform the marriage. All of that was not the case for interracial couples until Loving vs. Virginia in 1967.

Now we shall see how each state decides to Queer marriages. There are still 37 states the define marriage as "One Man and One Woman."

This past Sunday I did speak to a diverse group of people primarily made up of straight white middle and upper class and there was representation from Latino, African American, LGBTQ and poor people. I addressed Immigration Reform. I reminded them that Senator Marco Rubio was doing every thing he could to keep Immigration Reform out of the reach of Same-Sex couples and families during this latest change in our immigration laws.

I am hoping the overruling of DOMA will now settle that particular immigration injustice. Our time is here. Never give up on humanity for all.

Does anyone have any clarification, analysis regarding how overruling DOMA impacts Immigration Law for LGBTQ?


Timeline for Interracial Marriage in USA:

http://civilliberty.about.com/od/rac...y-Timeline.htm

Timeline for LGBTQ Marriage in USA:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...95P07320130626